Robert Mulligan: A Biography
Robert Mulligan did not grow up wanting to be in show business. Unlike other directors, he was not interested in films at a young age. However, upon returning from WWII, he emerged into a changed world with new-found ambitions (Robert Mulligan). What made him great at what he did was the way he was able to connect to people’s emotions.
Robert Patrick Mulligan was born on August 23, 1925 in New York, New York. He had one brother, Richard Mulligan. His father was a policeman (Robert Mulligan). Unlike many directors and producers, Robert didn’t want to be in show business from an early age. In fact, until college, he wanted to be a priest. For two years, Mulligan studied at Fordham University. However, before earning a degree, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving during WWII. When the war ended, Mulligan, age 20, emerged into a changed world with new-found ambitions.
hWhen he first got back, he obtained work in the editorial department of The New York Times, but left to pursue a career in television. He joined CBS, starting as an entry-level position (Robert Mulligan 1925-2008). He learned the business, and eventually worked his way up to director. In 1959 he won an Emmy Award for directing The Moon and Sixpence, a made-for-television production that marked the American small-screen debut of Laurence Oliver. In the same year, Mulligan directed his first motion picture, Fear Strikes Out.
After directing three more movies, The Rat Race (1960), Come September (1961), and The Great Imposter (1961), he, along with producer Alan Pakula, directed, To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee’s award winning novel (Robert Mulligan). This movie won three Oscars: best actor in a leading role, best art direction, and best adapted screenplay. These achievements made Robert Mulligan, and actor Gregory Peck, even more famous. What was particularly interesting about the making of this movie is that no other director could figure out how to make this movie. They said, “What is this book about? How do you make it into a movie? It’s just a bunch of talking! No action, no romance, no nothing!” Mulligan however, was able to make into a spectacular movie starring Mary Badham and Gregory Peck. To Kill a Mockingbird was awarded the title of 25th best movie of all time by the American Film Institute.
Mulligan directed his last movie in 1991 called, The Man in the Moon. After retiring from directing, critics had one word to describe Mulligan’s career: spectacular. Even though he made some not-so-great movies, overall, critics say that with the help of The Rat Race, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Other, and more, Mulligan will be remember as being a great film director. Sadly, Mulligan passed away on December 10, 2008 at the age of 83 from heart disease. It is presumed that his excess smoking and drinking in his younger years may have been the cause of this, though that has not been confirmed. Mulligan is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandy, three children from a previous marriage, Kevin, Beth and Christopher, and two grandchildren (Robert Mulligan 1925-2008).
Robert Mulligan was always able to connect to peoples feeling (Robert Mulligan). This made him the great director that he was. Being a military veteran, people respected him, and he was able to work his way to the top, and director great films that shall be remember throughout history. Even though Mulligan didn’t start out wanting to be a director, he followed his ambitions after the war, and turned himself into a great director that will be remembered for a long time.
Robert Patrick Mulligan was born on August 23, 1925 in New York, New York. He had one brother, Richard Mulligan. His father was a policeman (Robert Mulligan). Unlike many directors and producers, Robert didn’t want to be in show business from an early age. In fact, until college, he wanted to be a priest. For two years, Mulligan studied at Fordham University. However, before earning a degree, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving during WWII. When the war ended, Mulligan, age 20, emerged into a changed world with new-found ambitions.
hWhen he first got back, he obtained work in the editorial department of The New York Times, but left to pursue a career in television. He joined CBS, starting as an entry-level position (Robert Mulligan 1925-2008). He learned the business, and eventually worked his way up to director. In 1959 he won an Emmy Award for directing The Moon and Sixpence, a made-for-television production that marked the American small-screen debut of Laurence Oliver. In the same year, Mulligan directed his first motion picture, Fear Strikes Out.
After directing three more movies, The Rat Race (1960), Come September (1961), and The Great Imposter (1961), he, along with producer Alan Pakula, directed, To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee’s award winning novel (Robert Mulligan). This movie won three Oscars: best actor in a leading role, best art direction, and best adapted screenplay. These achievements made Robert Mulligan, and actor Gregory Peck, even more famous. What was particularly interesting about the making of this movie is that no other director could figure out how to make this movie. They said, “What is this book about? How do you make it into a movie? It’s just a bunch of talking! No action, no romance, no nothing!” Mulligan however, was able to make into a spectacular movie starring Mary Badham and Gregory Peck. To Kill a Mockingbird was awarded the title of 25th best movie of all time by the American Film Institute.
Mulligan directed his last movie in 1991 called, The Man in the Moon. After retiring from directing, critics had one word to describe Mulligan’s career: spectacular. Even though he made some not-so-great movies, overall, critics say that with the help of The Rat Race, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Other, and more, Mulligan will be remember as being a great film director. Sadly, Mulligan passed away on December 10, 2008 at the age of 83 from heart disease. It is presumed that his excess smoking and drinking in his younger years may have been the cause of this, though that has not been confirmed. Mulligan is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandy, three children from a previous marriage, Kevin, Beth and Christopher, and two grandchildren (Robert Mulligan 1925-2008).
Robert Mulligan was always able to connect to peoples feeling (Robert Mulligan). This made him the great director that he was. Being a military veteran, people respected him, and he was able to work his way to the top, and director great films that shall be remember throughout history. Even though Mulligan didn’t start out wanting to be a director, he followed his ambitions after the war, and turned himself into a great director that will be remembered for a long time.
Bibliography
“Robert Mulligan.” Theguardian. Guardian News and Media Limited, 2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/dec/23/obituary-robert-mulligan.
“Robert Mulligan Director/Producer.” They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? They Shoot Pictures, Don't They?, 2002-2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
http://www.theyshootpictures.com/mulliganrobert.htm.
“Robert Mulligan 1925-2008.” IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc., 1990-2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0612322/#Director.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/dec/23/obituary-robert-mulligan.
“Robert Mulligan Director/Producer.” They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? They Shoot Pictures, Don't They?, 2002-2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
http://www.theyshootpictures.com/mulliganrobert.htm.
“Robert Mulligan 1925-2008.” IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc., 1990-2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0612322/#Director.
Robert Mulligan