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David Cronenberg Biography

Birth Name:
David Paul Cronenberg
Birth Place:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Profession
Director, writer, cinematographer, producer

Fast Facts

  • Made his directorial debut with the 1975 sci-fi/horror hybrid Shivers, for which he won Best Director at the Sitges–Catalonian International Film Festival
  • Declined offers to direct several movies that went on to become big hits, including Flashdance (1983), Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and Top Gun (1986)
  • Breakthrough hit was the 1986 sci-fi remake The Fly, which grossed over $37 million in the U
  • S
  • and won an Oscar for Best Makeup
  • Awarded the Order of Canada in 2003
  • Received the National Board of Review's Billy Wilder Award for Excellence in Directing in 2005 and Cannes' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006
  • First cast actor Viggo Mortensen in 2005's A History of Violence; they've also collaborated on Eastern Promises (2007) and A Dangerous Method (2011)

Awards

  • 2015Canadian Screen Awards-Achievement in Direction: nominated
  • 2013Canadian Screen Awards-Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2011Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: nominated
  • 2008César Awards-Best Foreign Film: nominated
  • 2008BAFTA Film Awards-Best British Film: nominated
  • 2007Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: nominated
  • 2007Toronto International Film Festival-People's Choice Award: winner
  • 2007Golden Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2007Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Director: nominated
  • 2006David di Donatello Awards-Best Foreign Film: nominated
  • 2006César Awards-Best Foreign Film: nominated
  • 2005National Society of Film Critics-Best Director: winner
  • 2005Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Director: nominated
  • 2005Online Film Critics Association-Best Director: winner
  • 2005Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Director (Runner-up): winner
  • 2005Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Director: winner
  • 2005London Film Critics Association-Best Director: nominated
  • 2002Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 2002Toronto International Film Festival-Award for Best Canadian Feature Film: winner
  • 2001Genie Awards-Best Live Action Short Drama: nominated
  • 2001Genie Awards-Best Live Action Short Drama: nominated
  • 1999Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for an Outstanding Artistic Contribution: winner
  • 1999Genie Awards-Best Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1996Cannes Film Festival-Special Jury Prize: winner
  • 1996Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 1996Genie Awards-Golden Reel Award: winner
  • 1996Genie Awards-Best Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1996Genie Awards-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 1992Genie Awards-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 1992Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 1991New York Film Critics Circle-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1990National Society of Film Critics-Best Director: winner
  • 1989Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 1989Genie Awards-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 1989Genie Awards-Best Motion Picture: winner
  • 1987Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Director: winner
  • 1984Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 1984Genie Awards-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1982Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: nominated
  • 1982Genie Awards-Best Original Screenplay: nominated

Relationships

  • Caitlin Cronenberg -- Daughter
  • Cassandra Cronenberg -- Daughter
  • Margaret Hindson -- Ex-wife
  • Milton Cronenberg -- Father
  • Esther Cronenberg -- Mother
  • Brandon Cronenberg -- Son
  • Carolyn Zeifman -- Wife (deceased)