Elia Kazan

Elias Kazantzoglou, known as Elia Kazan, was a Greek-American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Described by The New York Times as "one of the most honored and influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history", he made a big impact on movies and plays. Born in Constantinople (now Istanbul) to Cappadocian Greek parents, his family moved to the United States in 1913. After studying at Williams College and the Yale School of Drama, he acted for eight years before joining the Group Theatre in 1932 and co-founding the Actors Studio in 1947.

Kazan’s films often focused on important social issues. His movie Gentleman's Agreement, starring Gregory Peck, dealt with antisemitism in the United States and won several Oscars, including one for Kazan as Best Director. Another film, Pinky, was one of the first to address racial prejudice against African Americans. He also directed famous films like A Streetcar Named Desire, which helped launch Marlon Brando's career, and On the Waterfront, a film about union problems in New York. In 1955, he directed East of Eden, starring James Dean.

Kazan's career took a difficult turn when he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952. His decision to cooperate caused controversy and upset many of his friends. Despite this, Kazan continued to influence directors and actors, and many considered him one of America’s best directors. Even today, his work remains important in film history.

Early life

Elia Kazan was born Elias Kazantzoglou in the Chalcedon district of Constantinople (now Istanbul) to Cappadocian Greek parents. His family moved to the United States in 1913. He grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church and later attended Williams College in Massachusetts, where he graduated with honors.

Kazan worked many jobs in college, such as waiting tables and washing dishes. He also worked as a bartender but never joined a fraternity. He earned the nickname “Gadg” because he was small and handy. Later, he turned his family’s story into a book and a film called America America.

Career

1930s: Stage career

In 1932, after studying at the Yale University School of Drama, Elia Kazan moved to New York City to work as a stage actor. He joined a group of actors called the Group Theatre, which performed plays with important social messages. Kazan found a strong sense of belonging there and was inspired by leaders like Lee Strasberg and Harold Clurman. He also became close friends with playwright Clifford Odets.

Kazan’s first big success came when he directed plays for the Group Theatre. In 1942, he directed a play by Thornton Wilder called The Skin of Our Teeth, which was both a critical and commercial success. He also directed famous plays like Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.

1940s: The Actors Studio, early films

In 1947, Kazan founded the Actors Studio with other actors. This became a famous place where actors could learn and improve their skills. In 1951, Lee Strasberg took over as director of the Actors Studio.

Kazan also began directing films. His first feature film was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. He later directed Gentleman's Agreement, which explored the topic of antisemitism in the United States and earned him his first Oscar for Best Director. He also directed Pinky, a film about racism in the United States.

1950s: Rise to prominence

In the 1950s, Kazan directed many famous films. He directed A Streetcar Named Desire, which won several Oscars. He also directed Viva Zapata! and On the Waterfront, which won many awards including Best Picture and Best Director. In East of Eden (1955), he introduced actor James Dean to the world.

1960s: Continued work

In the 1960s, Kazan continued to direct films. He introduced Warren Beatty in his first starring role in Splendor in the Grass (1961). He also directed Natalie Wood in the same film, helping revive her career.

1970s: Later Work

In the 1970s, Kazan directed two final movies. The first was The Visitors in 1972, a low-budget film about the Vietnam War. His last film was The Last Tycoon in 1976, based on a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Collaborators

Elia Kazan worked closely with many famous screenwriters. On Broadway, he collaborated with Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, and William Inge. In films, he worked again with Williams on A Streetcar Named Desire and Baby Doll, with Inge on Splendor in the Grass, with Budd Schulberg on On the Waterfront and A Face in the Crowd, with John Steinbeck on Viva Zapata!, and with Harold Pinter on The Last Tycoon. Kazan treated all these writers with great respect.

Some of Kazan's other famous films include Panic in the Streets (1950), East of Eden (1955), Baby Doll (1956), Wild River (1960), and The Last Tycoon (1976). Williams and Kazan became close friends, and Kazan often helped Williams find new ideas when he felt stuck.

Directing style

Preference for unknown actors

Elia Kazan believed in showing real life in his movies. He often worked with new actors who had not been in many films before. He thought these actors were better because they were fresh and had not yet learned "bad habits" from being famous. Kazan felt that choosing the right actor was very important — about 90% of a movie’s success depended on it. He helped many actors start their careers, including Lee Remick, Warren Beatty, Eva Marie Saint, James Dean, and Jack Palance.

Kazan liked to get to know his actors very well. He would talk with them, have dinner, and learn about their lives. This way, when he worked with a new actor, he already understood them better.

Topics of personal and social realism

Kazan chose stories for his films that felt real to him, often based on his own life. He believed that every film he made said something about his own experiences, hopes, and struggles. Film historian Joanna E. Rapf noted that Kazan focused on real-life details in his movies, even though his style was not strictly "naturalistic."

He also made films about important social issues. For example, On the Waterfront (1954) showed problems with unfair groups controlling workers, and A Face in the Crowd (1957) warned about how television could influence politics and public opinion.

Use of "method" acting

Kazan was known for working with actors who used "method" acting — a style where actors imagine themselves as their characters and feel their emotions deeply. He directed famous actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean. Kazan said he would do many things to help actors perform well, even if it seemed unusual. He believed that actors were like poets and needed to feel comfortable and inspired.

Kazan liked to listen to his actors’ ideas and let them help shape their characters. He respected their feelings and wanted them to bring real life into their performances.

Being an "actor's director"

Kazan was famous for his great work with actors. Many said he was one of the best directors for helping actors perform. He treated each actor as a person, not just someone to follow directions. Actors liked working with him because he made them feel confident and supported.

For example, Patricia Neal said Kazan was very good at talking with actors privately. Anthony Franciosa felt that Kazan always encouraged him and made him feel safe trying new things. Even in his later films, like The Last Tycoon (1976), Kazan worked closely with actors like Robert De Niro, helping them prepare carefully for their roles.

HUAC testimony

See also: Hollywood blacklist

Elia Kazan spoke to a government group in 1952 during a time when many people were worried about communism in the United States. When he was younger, Kazan had been part of a communist group. Later, he was asked to name others who had also been in that group. At first, he said he would not tell anyone, but he later gave the names of eight people from his old theater group. This choice made him lose many friends in the movie business. Some people admired him for his work, while others did not agree with what he did. Even years later, people still talked about his decision.

Personal life and death

Elia Kazan was married three times. His first wife was Molly Day Thacher, and they were married from 1932 until her death in 1963. They had four children together. Later, he married actress Barbara Loden in 1967, and they had one son before she passed away in 1980. In 1982, he married Frances Rudge, and they stayed together until his passing in 2003.

In the early 1930s, Kazan and his first wife moved to a farmhouse in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, where they raised their children. He also traveled back to his birthplace in Athens in 1978, where he spoke about his films and his views on life and democracy. Kazan passed away from natural causes in his Manhattan apartment on September 28, 2003, at the age of 94.

Sexual assault allegation

In 2017, Carol Drinkwater shared that she felt uncomfortable and unsafe when she was being considered for a role in Elia Kazan's film The Last Tycoon in 1975. This was a serious moment that made her worry about her safety.

Filmography

Documentary

• People of the Cumberland (1937)
• Watchtower Over Tomorrow (1945)

As an actor

• City for Conquest (1940)
• Blues in the Night (1941)

Awards and nominations

Elia Kazan received many awards for his work. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6800 Hollywood Boulevard and is a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Directed Academy Award Performances

Elia Kazan helped actors earn important awards called Oscars for their performances in movies he directed. These actors were nominated for, and sometimes won, these awards for their roles in his films. Oscar

Legacy

Elia Kazan was known for helping actors give their best performances. Many of the stars he directed received important awards, and he himself won two for Best Director. He helped launch the careers of famous actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean.

After he passed away at age 94, newspapers praised him as one of the most important directors in theater and film. He received many awards, including a special honor from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1999. Even today, filmmakers like Martin Scorsese say Kazan inspired them.