Known for movies

Short Info

SpousePaige Simpson
FactHe was awarded the C.M.G. (Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George) for his services to British film and television industries in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honors List.


Michael Apted, CMG, is a British director, producer, writer and actor. He is one of the most prolific British film directors of his generation, and has directed numerous documentaries and feature films.

Apted was born on 10 February 1941 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, the son of Audrey (née Bazeley), a nurse, and William Apted, a solicitor. His father died when he was seven years old, and he was brought up by his mother. He was educated at Charterhouse School and then at Wadham College, Oxford.

Apted began his career in television as a researcher on the groundbreaking Granada Television series World in Action (1963–64). He then worked as a director on such series as Coronation Street (1964–65) and The Newcomers (1965–66). In 1968, he directed his first feature film, Up the Junction, a gritty kitchen sink drama about working class life in London.

Apted’s breakthrough film was the 1971 drama 10 Rillington Place, based on the true story of John Christie, a serial killer who murdered several women in his London flat. The film starred Richard Attenborough as Christie and John Hurt as one of his victims.

Apted’s next film was the James Bond spoof Casino Royale (1967), which was a huge box office success. He then directed the highly acclaimed coal miners’ strike drama Stardust (1974), which starred David Essex and Robert Powell.

Apted continued to work in both television and film throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His films from this period include the crime thrillers The Squeeze (1977) and Agatha (1979), the war film Gorky Park (1983), and the historical drama Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). He also directed several episodes of the popular television series The Professionals (1977-1981).

In 1984, Apted directed the first instalment of the hugely successful 7 Up documentary series, which followed a group of 14 British children from a variety of backgrounds as they grew up every seven years. He has directed all subsequent instalments of the series, most recently 56 Up (2012).

Apted has also had a successful career in Hollywood, directing such films as Gorillas in the Mist (1988), Coal Miner’s Daughter (1990), Nell (1994) and The World Is Not Enough (1999). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for Gorillas in the Mist.

Apted is married to Paige Simpson, with whom he has three children. He was previously married to Joanne Killick, with whom he has two children.

Apted has a net worth of $20 million.

General Info

Full NameMichael Apted
Height1.88 m
ProfessionActor, Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter, Television Director, Television producer
EducationUniversity of Cambridge, Downing College, Cambridge

Family

SpousePaige Simpson
ChildrenPaul Apted, John Apted, Jim Apted, Lily Mellis
ParentsAmelia Thomas, Ronald William Apted

Accomplishments

AwardsDirectors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series, DGA Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award, Grammy Award for Best Music Film, British Academy Television Award for Best Single Documentary, Christopher Award for Feature Films, British Academy Television Award for Best Single ...
NominationsDirectors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film, British Independent Film Award for Best Director, News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Interview, British Academy Television Award for Best Single Drama, British Academy Television Award for Best Factual Series...
MoviesThe World Is Not Enough, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 56Up, Gorillas in the Mist, Coal Miner's Daughter, Amazing Grace, Chasing Mavericks, Seven Up!, Nell, Enigma, Thunderheart, Unlocked, Extreme Measures, Gorky Park, 49 Up, 42: Forty Two Up, Enough, Incident at Oglala, ...

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1[on the Up documentaries] There aren't many pieces of work, especially in film, that have the patience or the longevity or the time to honor the drama of ordinary life; and after all, the drama of what we all have to go through - children, jobs, marriage, the things that touch us - is the big drama of life, far more so than the drama of movies and television.
2I've never much been interested in doing films that no one gets to see.
3When I joined Granada - which, you don't want to start crying about these things, but Granada was a very, very hot place to be, it was my good fortune to be there at that time - the BBC was firmly asleep.

Facts

#Fact
1Father of Paul Apted.
2USA [June 2008]
3Directed three different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Jodie Foster, Sissy Spacek and Sigourney Weaver (Spacek won).
4He was awarded the C.M.G. (Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George) for his services to British film and television industries in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honors List.
5Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Documentary Branch) [2002-]
6(2003-) President of the Directors Guild of America (DGA).
7Elected as the new President of the Director's Guild of America. He replaces Martha Coolidge and has been a DGA member since 1978. [June 2003]
8Former researcher at Granada TV.

Pictures

Movies

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Bloodline2017TV Series 1 episode
Unlocked2017/I
Masters of Sex2013-2016TV Series 9 episodes
Ray Donovan2013-2016TV Series 2 episodes
Bending the Light2014Documentary
Reckless2014TV Series 1 episode
Chasing Mavericks2012
56 Up2012TV Movie documentary
Hallelujah2011TV Movie
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader2010
P.O.V.2007TV Series documentary 1 episode
The Power of the Game2007Documentary
The Fifa 2006 World Cup Film: The Grand Finale2006Video documentary
Married in America 22006TV Movie documentary
What About Brian2006TV Series 1 episode
Amazing Grace2006
49 Up2005TV Movie documentary
Rome2005TV Series 3 episodes
Blind Justice2005TV Series 1 episode
Married in America2003TV Movie documentary
Lipstick2002Short
Enough2002/I
Enigma2001
Nathan Dixon1999TV Movie
The World Is Not Enough1999
Me & Isaac Newton1999Documentary
42 Up1998TV Movie documentary
Always Outnumbered1998TV Movie
Inspirations1997Documentary
Extreme Measures1996
New York News1995TV Series 1 episode
Nell1994
Moving the Mountain1994Documentary
Blink1993
Crossroads1992TV Series
Incident at Oglala1992Documentary
Thunderheart1992
35 Up1991TV Movie documentary
My Life and Times1991TV Series 2 episodes
Class Action1991
The Long Way Home1989TV Movie documentary
Gorillas in the Mist1988
Critical Condition1987
Bring on the Night1985Documentary
28 Up1984TV Movie documentary
Firstborn1984
Gorky Park1983
P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang1982TV Movie
Continental Divide1981
Coal Miner's Daughter1980
Agatha1979
Play for Today1972-1977TV Series 6 episodes
21 Up1977Documentary
The Squeeze1977
Plays for Britain1976TV Series 1 episode
Great Performances1976TV Series 1 episode
Shades of Greene1975TV Series 1 episode
Haunted: Poor Girl1974TV Movie
Stardust1974
Childhood1974TV Series 1 episode
Black and Blue1973TV Series 1 episode
High Kampf1973TV Movie
ITV Playhouse1968-1972TV Series 11 episodes
The Triple Echo1972
Follyfoot1971-1972TV Series 2 episodes
Thirty-Minute Theatre1972TV Series 1 episode
Joy1972TV Movie
ITV Saturday Night Theatre1971-1972TV Series 2 episodes
7 Plus Seven1970TV Movie documentary
The Lovers1970TV Series 6 episodes
Parkin's Patch1969TV Series 7 episodes
Big Breadwinner Hog1969TV Series 2 episodes
City '681967-1968TV Series 5 episodes
Escape1967TV Series 1 episode
Coronation Street1966-1967TV Series 8 episodes
World in Action1963TV Series documentary

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Loneliest Time2016Short associate producer
Masters of Sex2014TV Series producer - 12 episodes
Bending the Light2014Documentary executive producer
Eddie2013Short executive producer
56 Up2012TV Movie documentary producer
P.O.V.2007TV Series documentary producer - 1 episode
21 Up America2006Documentary executive producer
Rome2005TV Series consulting producer - 12 episodes
49 Up2005TV Movie documentary producer
It's a Shame About Ray2000Short executive producer
42 Up1998TV Movie documentary producer
14 Up in America1998TV Movie documentary executive producer
Inspirations1997Documentary producer
Crossroads1993TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
Dracula1992executive producer
Intruders1992TV Series executive producer - 2 episodes
Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story1992TV Movie executive producer
Age 7 in America1991TV Movie documentary executive producer
35 Up1991TV Movie documentary producer
Born in the USSR1991TV Series documentary consulting producer - 1 episode
Criminal Justice1990TV Movie executive producer
28 Up1984TV Movie documentary producer
The River Rat1984executive producer
21 Up1977Documentary producer
7 Plus Seven1970TV Movie documentary producer

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
56 Up2012TV Movie documentary researcher: 7 Up
P.O.V.2007TV Series documentary researcher - 1 episode
Born in the USSR2005TV Series documentary consulting executive - 1 episode
49 Up2005TV Movie documentary researcher: 7 Up
Seven Up!1964TV Short documentary researcher

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
35 Up1991TV Movie documentary uncredited
Bring on the Night1985Documentary

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Spies Like Us1985Ace Tomato Agent

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Twenty Feet from Stardom2013Documentary special thanks
Hoop Dreams1994Documentary thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
American Masters2016TV Series documentaryHimself - Director, Coal Miner's Daughter
ITV Changed My Life2015TV Movie documentaryHimself
Defying Categories: Ralf Bode2015Video shortHimself
Bending the Light2014Documentary voice
CinemAbility2013DocumentaryHimself
The World in Action Years2013TV Movie documentaryHimself - Former WIA Producer
CBS News Sunday Morning2013TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Bond's Greatest Moments2013TV Movie documentaryHimself
56 Up2012TV Movie documentaryHimself - Narrator / Interviewer (voice)
Click Online2012TV Series documentaryHimself - Director, The World Is Not Enough
Hollywood's Best Film Directors2011TV SeriesHimself - Interviewee / Film Director
Fox Movie Channel: Direct Effect: Michael Apted2011Video shortHimself
Good Vs. Evil: Battle on the Sea2011Video shortHimself
Portal to Narnia: A Painting Comes to Life2011Video shortHimself
The Chronicles of Narnia: Fox Movie Channel: In Character with Liam Neeson as Aslan2011Video shortHimself
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - The Epic Continues2011Video shortHimself
John Belushi: Dancing on the Edge2010Himself
Biography2010TV Series documentaryHimself - Director, Continental Divide
Treasures of the Academy: Guardians of History2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace2007Video documentary shortHimself
BBC Look North: Yorkshire and North Midlands2007TV SeriesHimself
Up Close with Carrie Keagan2007TV SeriesHimself
Married in America 22006TV Movie documentaryHimself - Narrator (voice)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 50 Greatest Documentaries2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
49 Up2005TV Movie documentaryNarrator / Interviewer (voice, uncredited)
This Morning2005TV SeriesHimself
ITV 50 Greatest Shows2005TV MovieHimself
E! True Hollywood Story2004TV Series documentaryHimself
More Than Enough2003Video documentary shortHimself
James Bond: A BAFTA Tribute2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
Happy Anniversary Mr. Bond2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
Best Ever Bond2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
60 Minutes2002TV Series documentaryHimself - Director (segment "Michael Apted")
James Bond Down River2000TV Special documentaryHimself
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn2000TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Making of 'The World Is Not Enough'1999Video documentary shortHimself
And the Word Was Bond1999TV Movie documentaryHimself
Exclusive1999TV Series documentaryHimself - Interviewee
MADtv1999TV SeriesHimself
The Bond Cocktail1999TV Movie documentaryHimself
Comme au cinéma1999TV Series documentaryHimself
The James Bond Story1999TV Movie documentaryHimself - Interviewee
42 Up1998TV Movie documentaryNarrator / Interviewer (voice, uncredited)
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen1996TV Series documentaryQuote Reader
A Personal History of British Cinema by Stephen Frears1995TV Movie documentaryHimself
35 Up1991TV Movie documentaryInterviewer (voice, uncredited)
The Media Show1988TV Series documentaryHimself
Bring on the Night1985DocumentaryHimself / Interviewer (voice, uncredited)
28 Up1984TV Movie documentaryInterviewer (voice, uncredited)
The Making of 'Gorky Park'1983TV Movie documentaryHimself
Clapper Board1981TV SeriesHimself
21 Up1977DocumentaryHimself - Narrator (voice, uncredited)
7 Plus Seven1970TV Movie documentaryHimself - Narrator (uncredited)

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Cleanflix2009DocumentaryHimself - President, DGA
España, plató de cine2009TV Movie documentaryHimself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2016Lifetime Achievement Award for DirectingCamerimage
2013Robert B. Aldrich Achievement AwardDirectors Guild of America, USA
2012Lifetime Achievement AwardDubai International Film Festival
2008Christopher AwardChristopher AwardsFeature FilmsAmazing Grace (2006)
2008Maysles Brothers Lifetime Achievement Award in DocumentarySt. Louis International Film Festival
2006DGA AwardDirectors Guild of America, USAOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - NightRome (2005)
2002Spotlight AwardPalm Springs International Film Festival
2001Feature Film Prize in Science and TechnologyHamptons International Film FestivalEnigma (2001)
2000Special Jury AwardFlorida Film FestivalMe & Isaac Newton (1999)
1999Career Achievement AwardInternational Documentary Association
1999Silver SpireSan Francisco International Film FestivalTelevision - Drama-Television FeatureAlways Outnumbered (1998)
1998Career AwardDoubleTake Documentary Film Festival
1995Prize of the Ecumenical JuryBerlin International Film FestivalForum of New CinemaMoving the Mountain (1994)
1994Best Documentary FeatureVancouver International Film FestivalMoving the Mountain (1994)
1992Flaherty Documentary Award (TV)BAFTA Awards35 Up (1991)
1992American Indian Movie AwardAmerican Indian Film FestivalBest FilmIncident at Oglala (1992)
1987GrammyGrammy AwardsBest Music Video, Long FormBring on the Night (1985)
1985Flaherty Documentary Award (TV)BAFTA Awards28 Up (1984)
1985IDA AwardInternational Documentary Association28 Up (1984)
1985RTS Television AwardRoyal Television Society, UKMost Original Programme28 Up (1984)
1974BAFTA TV AwardBAFTA AwardsBest Single PlayPlay for Today (1970)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2006BAFTA TV AwardBAFTA AwardsBest Factual Series49 Up (2005)
2001British Independent Film AwardBritish Independent Film AwardsBest DirectorEnigma (2001)
2000OFTA Film AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Documentary Picture42 Up (1998)
1999Flaherty Documentary Award (TV)BAFTA Awards42 Up (1998)
1998IDA AwardInternational Documentary AssociationFeature Documentaries42 Up (1998)
1994Crystal GlobeKarlovy Vary International Film FestivalBlink (1993)
1992Critics AwardDeauville Film FestivalIncident at Oglala (1992)
1991Golden St. GeorgeMoscow International Film FestivalClass Action (1991)
1983BAFTA TV AwardBAFTA AwardsBest Single DramaP'tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (1982)
1981DGA AwardDirectors Guild of America, USAOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion PicturesCoal Miner's Daughter (1980)
1979DGA AwardDirectors Guild of America, USAOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - NightGreat Performances (1971)
1975Golden CharybdisTaormina International Film FestivalStardust (1974)
1974Gold HugoChicago International Film FestivalBest FeatureStardust (1974)
1973Gold HugoChicago International Film FestivalBest FeatureThe Triple Echo (1972)
1973Golden PrizeMoscow International Film FestivalThe Triple Echo (1972)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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