John Ford
American film director (1894-1973) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director. He was one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation.[2] Ford made frequent use of location shooting and wide shots, in which his characters were framed against a vast, harsh, and rugged natural terrain.
John Ford | |
|---|---|
 Ford in 1946 | |
| Born | John Martin Feeney (1894-02-01)February 1, 1894 Cape Elizabeth, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 1973(1973-08-31) (aged 79) Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California[1] |
| Occupation | Film director/producer |
| Years active | 1913–1966 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary McBride Smith (m. 1920) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 (active) 1946–1962 (reserve) |
| Rank |  Commander (active) Rear Admiral (reserve) |
| Unit | Office of Strategic Services 11th Naval District USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | ![Legion_of_Merit_ribbon_with_%22V%22_device_%28USN_and_USMC%29.svg](/en/File:Legion_of_Merit_ribbon_with_"V"_device_(USN_and_USMC).svg){kind=small} Legion of Merit with Combat "V" Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal |
He received six Academy Awards including a record four wins for Best Director for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), and The Quiet Man (1952). He is renowned for Westerns such as Stagecoach (1939), My Darling Clementine (1946), Rio Grande (1950), The Searchers (1956), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962).
In a career of more than 50 years, Ford directed more than 140 films (although most of his silent films are now lost). Ford's work was held in high regard by his colleagues, with Akira Kurosawa, Orson Welles and Ingmar Bergman naming him one of the greatest directors of all time.[3]