Gene Saks - Biography

Gene Saks (born November 8, 1921) is an American stage and film director.

Life and career

Saks was born in New York City, the son of Beatrix (née Lewkowitz) and Morris J. Saks. Saks studied at Cornell University and trained for acting at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York with the influential German director Erwin Piscator.

Saks has shared a long-term professional relationship with playwright/comedy writer Neil Simon, directing his plays Biloxi Blues, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Jake's Women, Rumors, Lost in Yonkers, Broadway Bound, The Odd Couple, and California Suite. Additional Broadway credits include Enter Laughing; Half a Sixpence; Mame; I Love My Wife; Same Time, Next Year; and Rags.

Among Saks' screen credits are Cactus Flower, which won Goldie Hawn the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Barefoot in the Park, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, The Odd Couple, Mame, So I Married an Axe Murderer (uncredited), and the 1995 television production of Bye Bye Birdie.

Saks made his acting debut on Broadway in South Pacific in 1949. On stage he also appeared in A Shot in the Dark, The Tenth Man, and A Thousand Clowns, in the role of Leo "Chuckles The Chipmunk" Herman, which he reprised in the film version. He portrayed Jack Lemmon's brother in the screen adaptation of Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue.

Saks was married to actress Bea Arthur from 1950-1978. The couple had two sons. He has a daughter with second wife Keren Saks.

Awards and nominations

Awards

• 1977 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical - I Love My Wife
• 1983 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play - Brighton Beach Memoirs
• 1985 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play - Biloxi Blues

Nominations

• 1965 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical - Half a Sixpence
• 1966 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical - Mame
• 1969 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Movie - The Odd Couple
• 1975 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play - Same Time, Next Year
• 1975 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play - Same Time, Next Year
• 1977 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical - I Love My Wife
• 1985 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play - Biloxi Blues
• 1987 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play - Broadway Bound
• 1991 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play - Lost in Yonkers

External links