Known for his unique and creative movies like ‘The Birth of a Nation’ and ‘Intolerance’, D
@Directors, Timeline and Childhood
Known for his unique and creative movies like ‘The Birth of a Nation’ and ‘Intolerance’, D
D. W. Griffith born at
In 1948, Griffith was found unconscious in the lobby of a hotel in Los Angeles and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. His public service was held at the Hollywood Masonic Temple but not many celebrities came to pay their respects.
In 1975, a ten cent postage stamp was dedicated in honor of Griffith and the Directors Guild of America created its highest award in his honor, called the D. W. Griffith Award.
Griffith was born in Crestwood, Kentucky, to Mary Perkins and Jacob Griffith. His father was a colonel and served in the American Civil War and became a Kentucky state legislator.
Griffith was schooled at home by his elder sister Mattie Griffith. His father passed away when he was only 10 years and the family was struck with poverty. He had to drop out of school to take up a job to support his family.
In 1907, Griffith tried to sell one of his scripts to a producer in New York. His script was not accepted but he was given a small role to play in a movie called ‘Rescued from an Eagle’s Nest’.
In 1908, having been smitten by the world of motion pictures, he accepted an acting offer by American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, New York City. He made his first movie ‘The Adventures of Dollie’.
By 1914, he was convinced that making motion pictures is a lucrative business and he directed and produced a movie called ‘Judith of Bethulia’. It was one of the earliest movies produced in the USA.
He developed creative differences with his company Biograph and decided to leave the company and join the Mutual Film Corporation with his actors. He formed the Reliance-Majestic Studios and hired Harry Aitken as his manager.
In 1915, he produced the movie ‘The Clansman’, which he called ‘The Birth of a Nation’ later. It was one of the first blockbusters ever and first feature length film made in America.
In the 1930s, Griffith was awarded an Oscar by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for his contribution to American cinema and making movies like ‘The Birth of a Nation’.
David Llewelyn Wark ‘D.W.’ Griffith is amongst the first few directors of the American cinema who brought in revolution through his ideas and directorial techniques in the motion pictures of his time. He was born and brought up in Kentucky by his family with an Army background. His father died when he was very young and he had to discontinue his studies to support his family. He started writing plays but he soon discovered that making movies was a more lucrative option and made movies like ‘The Birth of a Nation’ and ‘Intolerance’. Both the movies were highly controversial - former for its negative depiction of black Americans and latter for trying to portray the biasness and prejudices through different historical eras. He made many movies but none of them achieved success like these two and his association with various production houses was dissolved due to his lack of creating commercially successful movies. Griffith was a man of vision and bold ideas and is considered to be an icon from the times when cinema was developing in the US.
Information | Detail |
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Birthday | January 22, 1875 |
Died on | July 23, 1948 |
Nationality | American |
Famous | Directors, Film & Theater Personalities, Directors |
Spouses | Evelyn Baldwin (1936–1947), Linda Arvidson (1906–1936) |
Siblings | Mattie Griffith |
Known as | D. W. Griffith |
Founder / Co-Founder |
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Birth Place | Crestwood |
Gender | Male |
Father | Jacob |
Mother | Mary Perkins Griffith |
Sun Sign | Aquarius |
Born in | Crestwood |
Famous as | American director |
Died at Age | 73 |