Arthur Hiller

In 1948, Hiller married Gwen Pechet. The couple was blessed with two children. Gwen breathed her last on June 24, 2016.

Arthur Hiller died almost two months after the death of his wife in Los Angeles on August 17, 2016 at the age of 92.

Arthur Hiller was born on November 22, 1923, in Edmonton Alberta to Jewish immigrants Rose and Harry Hiller. He had two elder sister siblings. His father owned a second hand musical instrumental store.

Right from his childhood, young Hiller found himself attracted to theatre. Despite having no film background, he would take up a role in a Jewish play that was shown annually or bi-annually for the Jewish community. He did this to keep in touch with the Jewish heritage.

Hiller completed his primary and high school education. Thereafter, he took a hiatus from studies during World War II and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. His role included navigating bombers over enemy territory.

After being relieved from his duties after World War II, Hiller resumed his studies. He enrolled at the University College, at the University of Toronto. In 1947, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and three years later completed his Master of Arts degree in psychology.

Following his studies, Hiller took up job with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where he worked for five years from 1950 to 1955. His job included directing various public affairs program.

Around the same time that Hiller worked for Canadian radio, he made his breakthrough in American television for NBC, which was a major broadcaster in US then. He also directed several popular U.S. television dramas including ‘Thriller’, ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’, ‘Gunsmoke’, ‘Naked City’ and ‘Playhouse 90’.

In 1957, Hiller directed his first feature film, ‘The Careless Years’. The movie was about a young couple’s eloping. However, following his directorial debut, Hiller’s career as a director went for a hiatus until 1962 when he directed his second film ‘This Rugged Land’. Originally made for television, it eventually released as a feature film.

In 1963, Hiller directed Walt Disney’s live action ‘Miracles of the White Stallions’ and ‘The Wheeler’s Deal’. While the former movie revolved around the evacuation of Lipizzaner horses from Vienna during World War II, the latter was a comedy starring James Garner and Jim Backus. Both the movies did exceedingly well and displayed Hiller’s competence as a director. He excelled at his job behind the camera.

In 1964, Hiller got his breakthrough as a director with his first-ever commercial hit ‘The Americanization of Emily’. A satirical anti-war comedy, the film starred James Garner and Julie Andrews in lead roles. The film earned two Academy Award nominations and established Hiller’s reputation as a remarkably efficient director. He was acclaimed for his brilliant direction and perfect treatment of Paddy Chayevsky’s script.

Hiller first rose to prominence for ‘The Americanization of Emily’, released in 1963. It was the first commercial hit from Hiller’s and earned two Oscar nominations as well.

Hiller’s most laudable work came during the 1970s. His ‘Love Story’ released in 1970 became his career’s greatest ever film. It earned seven Oscars including the one for Best Director.