Norman Taurog - Film Director, Life Achievements and Family
Norman Taurog's Personal Details
Norman Taurog was an American film director who became the youngest person ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 23, 1899 |
| Died on | April 7, 1981 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Film & Theater Personalities, Directors, Film Director |
| Spouses | Julie Leonard (1925-1943; divorced; 1 child), Susan Ream Broderick (1944-1981; his death) |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Arthur Jack Taurog |
| Mother | Anita Taurog |
| Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Born in | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Famous as | Film Director |
| Died at Age | 82 |
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Norman Taurog's photo
Who is Norman Taurog?
Norman Taurog was an American film director and screenwriter who became the youngest person ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director when he won the award at the age of 32 for ‘Skippy.’ A prolific director with 180 films to his credit, he directed several comedies—a number of then with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis—and musicals, nine of which starred Elvis Presley. He also worked with some of the most popular stars of the 20th century including Spencer Tracy, Judy garland, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Mickey Rooney. Taurog became a child performer on the stage at an early age and was quite popular due to his cute face and innocent expressions. He ventured into films as a young teenager and made his silver screen debut in the short film ‘Tangled Relations.’ He spent his late teens dabbling in theater, mostly off-Broadway. He attempted to transition into films as a romantic lead but was unsuccessful. He focused his attention on getting behind the camera instead and started directing films, beginning with two-reel silent comedies. He made several short films before breaking into feature films with ‘Lucky Boy,’ which he co-directed with Charles C. Wilson. He retired from directing after a long career spanning almost five decades and later taught at the University of California School of Cinema.
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Childhood & Early Life
Norman Taurog was born on February 23, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois, to Arthur Jack Taurog and Anita Taurog (née Goldsmith).
He was exposed to the show business as a young child and became a child performer on the stage at an early age. By the time he was 13 he had made his film debut in the short film ‘Tangled Relations.’ He spent his late teens performing in theater, mostly off-Broadway.
Career
He attempted to make a comeback to films as a romantic lead when he was a young man but did not find much success. By this time his interests were also shifting more towards directing than acting. He turned to direction in 1919 and collaborated with Larry Semon in ‘The Sportsman’ (1920).
There was no looking back once the directing bug caught him and he proceeded to make a series of 42 silent films, mostly shorts. Early in his career he focused more on comedy and often worked with Semon.
The first feature film he made was ‘Lucky Boy’ (1928), which he co-directed with Charles C. Wilson. He received a major breakthrough in 1931 when he directed ‘Skippy,’ the story of a young boy, his antics, and adventures. The film was a very successful one which established Taurog as a reputed Hollywood director.
Over the next few years he directed a series of well-received films, and his 1938 biographical drama film ‘Boys Town’, based on Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with a group of underprivileged and delinquent boys, proved that the talented director’s versatility as until now he was mostly known for his comedies.
He began the 1940s with ‘Young Tom Edison’ (1940), a biographical film about the early life of inventor Thomas Edison, with Mickey Rooney in the title role. In 1943 he made the musical film ‘Presenting Lily Mars,’ starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington.
In 1947, he ventured into newer territories and directed a docudrama film ‘The Beginning or the End,’ a film about the development of the atomic bomb in World War II. The film dramatizes the creation of the atomic bomb in the Manhattan Project and the bombing of Hiroshima and is noted for some historical inaccuracies. It was not a commercial hit.
In 1952, he directed the popular comedy duo, Martin and Lewis, in ‘Jumping Jacks,’ a military comedy. Over the next few years he worked often with the comedic pair to make ‘The Stooge’ (1953), ‘The Caddy’ (1954), ‘Living It Up’ (1955), and ‘You're Never Too Young’ (1954).
Taurog achieved much popularity for his work with Elvis Presley. He directed the singing sensation for the first time in ‘G.I. Blues’ in 1960. The film, an entertaining, light-hearted formula, was a resounding success which led to Taurog and Presley working together in eight more films including ‘Blue Hawai’i (1961), ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ (1962), ‘Tickle Me’ (1965), and ‘Spinout’ (1966).
In 1968, Norman Taurog, almost 70, retired from films and later taught at the University of California School of Cinema and remained a board member of the Director's Guild.
Major Works
His best known movie is ‘Skippy,’ a tale about the adventures of a young boy, his friends, and a dog. It was a surprise hit that earned several Academy Award nominations, with Taurog winning the one for Best Director. The super-hit film also inspired a sequel called ‘Sooky.’
Taurog directed Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan in the biographical drama film ‘Boys Town’ which also had Mickey Rooney and Leslie Fenton in its star cast. The film was a massive hit which earned over $2 million in profit and also bagged an Academy Award nomination for Taurog.
Awards & Achievements
Norman Taurog won the Academy Award for Best Director for ‘Skippy’ (1931).
In 1938, he was awarded the Venice Film Festival Mussolini Cup for Best Film for ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.’
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Norman Taurog has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1600 Vine Street.
Personal Life & Legacy
His first marriage was to Julie Leonard, whom he wed in 1925. The couple had one child and divorced in 1943.
His second marriage was to Susan Ream Broderick in 1944. They remain married till his death.
Norman Taurog died on April 7, 1981, aged 82. He suffered from blindness during his later years.
Trivia
At the age of 32 years and 260 days, he became the youngest person to win an Academy Award for Best Director.
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Norman Taurog's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | Academy Award for Best Director - 1931 | |
Norman Taurog biography timelines
- // 23rd Feb 1899Norman Taurog was born on February 23, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois, to Arthur Jack Taurog and Anita Taurog (née Goldsmith).
- // 1919 To 1920He attempted to make a comeback to films as a romantic lead when he was a young man but did not find much success. By this time his interests were also shifting more towards directing than acting. He turned to direction in 1919 and collaborated with Larry Semon in ‘The Sportsman’ (1920).
- // 1925 To 1943His first marriage was to Julie Leonard, whom he wed in 1925. The couple had one child and divorced in 1943.
- // 1928 To 1931The first feature film he made was ‘Lucky Boy’ (1928), which he co-directed with Charles C. Wilson. He received a major breakthrough in 1931 when he directed ‘Skippy,’ the story of a young boy, his antics, and adventures. The film was a very successful one which established Taurog as a reputed Hollywood director.
- // 1931Norman Taurog won the Academy Award for Best Director for ‘Skippy’ (1931).
- // 1938Over the next few years he directed a series of well-received films, and his 1938 biographical drama film ‘Boys Town’, based on Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with a group of underprivileged and delinquent boys, proved that the talented director’s versatility as until now he was mostly known for his comedies.
- // 1938In 1938, he was awarded the Venice Film Festival Mussolini Cup for Best Film for ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.’
- // 1940 To 1943He began the 1940s with ‘Young Tom Edison’ (1940), a biographical film about the early life of inventor Thomas Edison, with Mickey Rooney in the title role. In 1943 he made the musical film ‘Presenting Lily Mars,’ starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington.
- // 1944His second marriage was to Susan Ream Broderick in 1944. They remain married till his death.
- // 1947In 1947, he ventured into newer territories and directed a docudrama film ‘The Beginning or the End,’ a film about the development of the atomic bomb in World War II. The film dramatizes the creation of the atomic bomb in the Manhattan Project and the bombing of Hiroshima and is noted for some historical inaccuracies. It was not a commercial hit.
- // 1952In 1952, he directed the popular comedy duo, Martin and Lewis, in ‘Jumping Jacks,’ a military comedy. Over the next few years he worked often with the comedic pair to make ‘The Stooge’ (1953), ‘The Caddy’ (1954), ‘Living It Up’ (1955), and ‘You're Never Too Young’ (1954).
- // 1960Taurog achieved much popularity for his work with Elvis Presley. He directed the singing sensation for the first time in ‘G.I. Blues’ in 1960. The film, an entertaining, light-hearted formula, was a resounding success which led to Taurog and Presley working together in eight more films including ‘Blue Hawai’i (1961), ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ (1962), ‘Tickle Me’ (1965), and ‘Spinout’ (1966).
- // 1968In 1968, Norman Taurog, almost 70, retired from films and later taught at the University of California School of Cinema and remained a board member of the Director's Guild.
- // 7th Apr 1981Norman Taurog died on April 7, 1981, aged 82. He suffered from blindness during his later years.
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Norman Taurog's FAQ
What is Norman Taurog birthday?
Norman Taurog was born at 1899-02-23
When was Norman Taurog died?
Norman Taurog was died at 1981-04-07
Where was Norman Taurog died?
Norman Taurog was died in Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Which age was Norman Taurog died?
Norman Taurog was died at age 82
Where is Norman Taurog's birth place?
Norman Taurog was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States
What is Norman Taurog nationalities?
Norman Taurog's nationalities is American
Who is Norman Taurog spouses?
Norman Taurog's spouses is Julie Leonard (1925-1943; divorced; 1 child), Susan Ream Broderick (1944-1981; his death)
Who is Norman Taurog's father?
Norman Taurog's father is Arthur Jack Taurog
Who is Norman Taurog's mother?
Norman Taurog's mother is Anita Taurog
What is Norman Taurog's sun sign?
Norman Taurog is Pisces
How famous is Norman Taurog?
Norman Taurog is famouse as Film Director