Gene Saks

Gene Saks (born November 8th, 1921) is a film and stage director.

Saks, who was born in New York City, is a three time Tony Award winner for his direction of plays on Broadway. He trained at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research. His education was received at Cornell University.

He has had a long standing relationship with playwright/comedy writer Neil Simon. He had directed Simon's plays Same Time, Next Year, Biloxi Blues and Brighton Beach Memoirs, on Broadway, to name a few.

Saks is also an actor (He made his debut on Broadway in South Pacific). He appeared in the 1965 film A Thousand Clowns, as Leo "Chuckles The Chipmunk" Herman. He also appeared in the 1975 film, The Prisoner of Second Avenue (also written by Simon), his role being that of Jack Lemmon's brother, Harry.

He directed Simon's film versions of the Broadway plays Barefoot in the Park (1967), The Odd Couple (1968), and Last Of The Red Hot Lovers (1972).

He also directed 1969's Cactus Flower which won co-star Goldie Hawn an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

He was married to actress Bea Arthur for 28 years (1950-1978). Saks had also directed Arthur on stage in Mame. He also directed the film version of the play, also starring Arthur along with Lucille Ball. The film was released in 1974.

Director - Filmography

• Barefoot in the Park(1967)
• The Odd Couple (1968)
• Cactus Flower (1969)
• Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972)
• Mame (1974)
• Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
• Cin cin (1991)
• Bye Bye Birdie (1995) (TV-Movie)

External links

• Gene Saks at IMDb