John Huston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Huston
Huston in Chinatown (1974)
Born	(1906-08-05)5 August 1906 Nevada, Missouri, U.S.
Died	28 August 1987(1987-08-28) (aged 81) Middletown, Rhode Island, U.S.
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Occupation	Film director screenwriter actor visual artist
Years active	1930–1987
Spouse(s)	Dorothy Harvey ​ ​ (m. 1925; div. 1933)​ Lesley Black ​ ​ (m. 1937; div. 1945)​ Evelyn Keyes ​ ​ (m. 1946; div. 1950)​ Enrica Soma ​ ​ (m. 1950; died 1969)​ Celeste Shane ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1977)​
Partner(s)	Zoe Sallis
Children	5, including Anjelica, Tony, Danny, and Allegra Huston
Parent(s)	Walter Huston Rhea Gore
Awards	See list
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1942–46
Rank	Major
Unit	Army Signal Corps
Battles/wars	World War II Pacific Theater
Awards	Legion of Merit American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal

John Marcellus Huston (born August 5, 1906 – died August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. He also enjoyed painting and was a visual artist. He wrote the scripts for most of the 37 movies he directed. Many of these films are now considered classics. These include The Maltese Falcon (1941) and The African Queen (1951).

During his 46-year career, Huston was nominated for 15 Academy Awards, winning twice. He also directed his father, Walter Huston, and his daughter, Anjelica Huston, to Oscar wins. This made the Hustons the first family to have three generations of Oscar winners.

In his younger years, Huston studied painting in Paris. He then moved to Mexico and started writing plays and short stories. Later, he became a screenwriter in Hollywood. His first movie as a director was The Maltese Falcon. It was a big success even though it had a small budget. He continued to be a successful director for 45 years.

Huston carefully planned his films. He would sketch each scene before filming, showing camera positions and lighting. Unlike many directors who rely on editing after filming, Huston created his movies as they were being shot. This meant less editing was needed later. Many of his films were based on famous novels. They often showed a "heroic quest" or groups of people struggling for a common goal. His movies explored themes like religion, truth, freedom, and war.

While he sometimes acted in small roles in his own films, he mostly worked behind the camera. In 1963, he acted in The Cardinal and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He continued to take important acting roles for the next 20 years. This included Chinatown (1974). He also used his deep voice as a voice actor and narrator in several films. His last two films, Prizzi's Honor (1985) and The Dead (1987), were nominated for many Academy Awards. He died shortly after finishing his last film.

John Huston was called a "titan" and a "rebel" in Hollywood. Author Ian Freer described him as "cinema's Ernest Hemingway" because he was "never afraid to tackle tough issues." He lived in France, Mexico, and Ireland at different times. He became an Irish citizen in 1964. Later, he returned to the U.S. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Early life and interests

John Huston was born on August 5, 1906, in Nevada, Missouri. He was the only child of Rhea Gore and Walter Huston. His father was an actor, first in vaudeville shows, then in movies. His mother was a sports editor.

John's parents divorced when he was six years old. He spent much of his childhood in boarding schools. During summer breaks, he traveled with his father on vaudeville tours. He also went with his mother to horse races and other sports events. Seeing his father act made young John interested in acting too.

As a child, Huston was often sick. He had problems with his heart and kidneys. He got better after spending a long time resting in bed in Arizona. Then he moved with his mother to Los Angeles. He went to Abraham Lincoln High School but left after two years. He wanted to become a professional boxer. By age 15, he was a top amateur lightweight boxer in California. He stopped boxing after breaking his nose.

Huston had many interests. These included ballet, English and French literature, opera, horseback riding, and studying painting. He studied painting at the Art Students League of Los Angeles. Living in Los Angeles, he became fascinated with the new film industry. He loved watching movies and thought Charlie Chaplin was amazing.

Huston later moved back to New York City to live with his father. He had a few small acting roles on stage. After a short time acting and having surgery, Huston traveled alone to Mexico. He spent two years there and even became an honorary member of the Mexican cavalry. He returned to Los Angeles and married Dorothy Harvey, a high school girlfriend. Their marriage lasted seven years.

Starting a writing career

While in Mexico, Huston wrote a play called Frankie and Johnny. It was based on a famous song. He sold it easily and decided that writing could be a good career. He felt even more confident when a popular magazine, American Mercury, bought two of his stories. Later, his stories were published in other magazines like Esquire and The New York Times.

In 1931, at age 25, he moved back to Los Angeles. He hoped to write for the growing film industry. Silent films were being replaced by "talkies," so writers were in high demand. His father had already found success in movies there.

Huston got a job writing scripts for Universal Studios. He started by writing dialogue for films in 1932. These included Murders in the Rue Morgue and Law and Order. His father, Walter Huston, starred in some of these films.

Huston described his first years as a writer in Hollywood as "misadventures and disappointments." His early writing career in Hollywood ended suddenly. An actress died in a car accident while Huston was driving. A jury said he was not to blame, but the event deeply affected him. He moved to London and Paris and lived as a "drifter."

By 1937, Huston returned to Hollywood wanting to be a "serious writer." He married Lesley Black. He started working as a scriptwriter for Warner Brothers Studio. His goal was to direct his own scripts. For the next four years, he co-wrote scripts for big films like Jezebel and Sergeant York (1941). He was nominated for Academy Awards for his screenplays for these films.

Huston was known as a respected screenwriter. He convinced Warner Brothers to let him direct. The studio agreed, but only if his next script was a hit. His next script was High Sierra (1941). It became the hit he needed. This film also helped make Humphrey Bogart a star. Warner Brothers kept their promise and let Huston choose his first directing project.

Directing his first films

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

For his first directing job, Huston chose The Maltese Falcon. This detective story by Dashiell Hammett had failed twice before as movies. But studio head Jack L. Warner liked Huston's ideas for the film.

Huston kept the script very close to the original book. He used much of Hammett's dialogue. He directed it in a clear, simple style, like the book's story. He prepared for his first directing job by sketching every shot beforehand. This included where the camera would be and how the lighting would look.

He chose a great cast, giving Humphrey Bogart the main role. Bogart enjoyed working with Huston. The cast also included Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. His own father, Walter Huston, was also in the film. The movie had a small budget and little advertising. Warner Brothers did not expect much from it. The whole film was made in eight weeks for only $300,000.

The studio was surprised by how much the public and critics loved the film. Many called it a "classic" and the "best detective melodrama ever made." Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay. After this film, Huston directed almost all of his own scripts. In 1942, he directed two more successful films: In This Our Life and Across the Pacific, both starring Humphrey Bogart.

Army years during World War II

In 1942, Huston joined the United States Army during World War II. He made films for the Army Signal Corps. As a captain, he directed three films about the war. Some critics say these are among the best war films ever made. They include Report from the Aleutians (1943) and The Battle of San Pietro (1945). His film Let There Be Light (1946) was about soldiers with psychological injuries. The Army censored and hid this film for 35 years.

Huston was promoted to major. He received the Legion of Merit award for his "courageous work under battle conditions." All of his Army films were "controversial." They were either not released, censored, or banned. This was because they were seen as "demoralizing" to soldiers and the public. Years later, his daughter, Anjelica Huston, remembered watching his war documentaries.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Huston's next film was The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948). He wrote, directed, and had a small role in it. This film helped make him known as a top filmmaker. The movie starred Humphrey Bogart. It told the story of three drifters who search for gold. Huston also gave a supporting role to his father, Walter Huston.

Warners studio was unsure about the film at first. Huston filmed it on location in Mexico, which was unusual then. Studio boss Jack L. Warner "detested it" at first. But the film soon received wide praise from the public and critics. Time magazine called it "one of the best things Hollywood has done." Huston won Oscars for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. His father won for Best Supporting Actor. The film also won other awards.

Key Largo (1948)

Also in 1948, Huston directed Key Largo. It again starred Humphrey Bogart. The story was about a veteran who fights gangsters on a remote Florida island. It also starred Lauren Bacall, Claire Trevor, and Edward G. Robinson. The film was based on a play. Some felt it was too much like a stage play. But the "outstanding performances" by the actors saved the film. Claire Trevor won an Oscar for best supporting actress. Huston was upset that the studio cut scenes without his permission. This, and other disagreements, made Huston leave the studio when his contract ended.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

In 1950, he wrote and directed The Asphalt Jungle. This film was new because it showed criminals as somewhat relatable characters. Huston paid "deep attention" to the plot, which involved a large jewelry theft. He showed every small detail and difficulty the characters faced. Some critics felt Huston made it seem almost like a documentary.

Film critic Andrew Sarris called it "Huston's best film." He also said it made Marilyn Monroe a recognized actress. Sarris noted that many of Huston's films have a similar theme: "His main characters almost always fail at what they try to do." This theme was also in Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

The film starred Sterling Hayden and Sam Jaffe. Marilyn Monroe had her first important role in this movie. Huston said it was where "Marilyn Monroe got her start." Monroe felt Huston was a genius. She said he made her feel important when she was filming. The film was a success. Huston was again nominated for an Oscar for best screenplay and best director.

The Red Badge of Courage (1951)

Huston's next film, The Red Badge of Courage (1951), was very different. It was about war and its effect on soldiers. While in the army, he became interested in Stephen Crane's novel about the American Civil War. For the main role, Huston chose World War II hero Audie Murphy. Murphy played a young soldier who runs away from fear but later returns to fight.

MGM worried the movie seemed too anti-war for the time. Without Huston's approval, they cut the film from 88 minutes to 69. They added narration and removed a scene Huston thought was very important. The movie did not do well at the box office. Huston thought it was because it "brought war very close to home." Despite the cuts and weak public response, film historian Michael Barson called it "a minor masterpiece."

The African Queen (1951)

Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen (1951)

Before The Red Badge of Courage was released, Huston was already filming The African Queen (1951) in Africa. It was based on C. S. Forester's popular novel. It starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. It was a mix of romance, comedy, and adventure. Barson called it "one of the most popular Hollywood movies of all time."

The film's producer, Sam Spiegel, asked Huston to change the ending. He wanted the main characters to survive instead of dying. Huston agreed. It became Huston's most successful film financially. It is still considered one of his best works. Huston was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Bogart won his only Oscar for Best Actor for his role.

Hepburn wrote a book about her experiences filming the movie.

Living in Ireland and later films

In 1952, Huston moved to Ireland. He was upset by the "witch-hunt" against suspected communists in Hollywood. This was led by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA). Many of his friends in the movie industry were affected. Huston and his friends formed a group to protest these investigations.

Moby Dick (1956)

Huston produced, wrote, and directed his next two films: Moulin Rouge (1952) and Beat the Devil (1953). Moby Dick (1956) was written by Ray Bradbury. Huston had his name added to the screenplay credit.

Huston had planned to film Herman Melville's Moby-Dick for ten years. He first thought his father, Walter Huston, would be great as Captain Ahab. After his father died in 1950, Huston chose Gregory Peck for the role. The movie was filmed over three years in Ireland, where Huston was living. A fishing village was built for the film. Three large, fake whales were made from steel, wood, and plastic. In the movie, Huston's voice was used for another actor's character. But the film did not do well at the box office. Critics felt it lacked the "mysticism of the book."

The Misfits (1961)

Of Huston's next five films, only The Misfits (1961) received good reviews. Critics have noted a sad feeling of "doom" around the film. Clark Gable, the star, died a few weeks after filming. Marilyn Monroe never finished another film and died a year later. Costars Montgomery Clift and Thelma Ritter also died within the next decade. During filming, Monroe sometimes took prescribed drugs, which made her late to set. She also forgot her lines. Monroe's personal problems led to the end of her marriage to the scriptwriter, Arthur Miller, during filming. Huston later said, "Marilyn was on her way out. Not only of the picture, but of life."

Freud: The Secret Passion (1962)

After The Misfits, Huston made Freud: The Secret Passion. This film was very different from his others. He also narrated parts of the story. Film historian Stuart M. Kaminsky noted that Huston showed Sigmund Freud, played by Montgomery Clift, as a "savior."

Huston's Night of the Iguana set on Mismaloya Beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The Night of the Iguana (1964)

For his next film, Huston went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He met an architect who owned land there. The Night of the Iguana was filmed in a beach cove called Mismaloya. Huston adapted the play by Tennessee Williams. The film starred Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. It was nominated for several Academy Awards. The filming attracted a lot of media attention. This was because Burton brought his famous girlfriend, Elizabeth Taylor, to Puerto Vallarta. Huston liked the town so much that he bought a house nearby.

The Bible: In the Beginning (1966)

Producer Dino De Laurentis asked Huston to direct The Bible: In the Beginning. Huston enjoyed directing this film because he loved animals. Besides directing, he also played Noah and the voice of God. The Bible earned a lot of money. However, it was very expensive to make, so the studio lost some money.

Fat City (1972)

After a few films that were not well-received, Huston made a comeback with Fat City. It was based on a 1969 novel. The story was about an older boxer trying to restart his career. It also showed a young amateur boxer trying to succeed. The film was nominated for several awards. It starred Stacy Keach, a young Jeff Bridges, and Susan Tyrrell. She was nominated for an Oscar. Roger Ebert said Fat City was one of Huston's best films.

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

The Man Who Would Be King was one of Huston's most highly praised films of the 1970s. It was a success with both critics and audiences. Huston had planned to make this film since the 1950s. He originally wanted Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable for the main roles. Eventually, Sean Connery and Michael Caine starred. The movie was filmed in North Africa. It was praised for being old-fashioned and entertaining. Steven Spielberg said this film helped inspire his movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Later films and final work

After The Man Who Would Be King, Huston took his longest break from directing. He returned with Wise Blood (1979). This film was based on a unique novel. Here, Huston showed his skill as a storyteller and his bravery in tackling difficult topics like religion.

Under the Volcano (1984) was Huston's last film set in Mexico. It starred Albert Finney as an ambassador during the start of World War II. Critics highly praised the film, especially Finney's acting.

The Dead (1987) was John Huston's final film. It was based on a classic short story by James Joyce. This film was very personal for Huston because he was an Irish citizen and loved classic literature. Huston directed most of the film from a wheelchair. He needed an oxygen tank to breathe during the last months of his life. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards and received great reviews. Roger Ebert added it to his list of "Great Movies." Huston died almost four months before the film was released. His daughter, Anjelica Huston, said that making this film was very important to her father. She believes it was his "love letter to Ireland and the Irish."

As an actor

Earlier in his career, Huston played small roles in his own films. For example, he was an unnamed rich American in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Later, he started taking bigger roles in films directed by others. In 1963, director Otto Preminger asked him to play a cardinal in The Cardinal. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role.

He also acted in Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974) as the main villain. He played John Hay, President Teddy Roosevelt's secretary of state, in The Wind and the Lion. Huston enjoyed acting but said he did not take it too seriously. He was most proud of his acting in Chinatown. He also enjoyed acting in Winter Kills. He played the Lawgiver in Battle for the Planet of the Apes.

Huston is also famous for being the voice of the wizard Gandalf. He voiced Gandalf in the animated movies The Hobbit (1977) and The Return of the King (1980).

Huston played the main role in Orson Welles's last finished film, The Other Side of the Wind. In it, he played an aging filmmaker. This film was not released until 2018 due to problems.

Movie themes and directing style

Huston's films often showed deep insights into human nature. They sometimes included scenes that seemed to predict environmental issues that became known later. Examples are The Misfits and The Night of the Iguana (1964).

According to film historian Stuart M. Kaminsky, Huston's stories were often about "failed quests." A group of different people would try to achieve a goal, even when the odds were against them. They were often doomed from the start. However, some members of the group usually survived. These were the "cool" and "intelligent" ones, or those who would "sacrifice everything for self-understanding."

Another common theme in Huston's films was a pair of potential lovers facing a difficult world. However, he often avoided happy endings, which was different from many Hollywood films. Film historian James Goodwin added that almost all his films had some kind of "heroic quest." This quest was often seen as better than a boring, meaningless life.

Critics Tony Tracy and Roddy Flynn noted that Huston was interested in the "human condition" more than just making movies. He used literature to explore this. In many of his films, he explored big ideas of the 20th century. These included faith, truth, freedom, and war.

Film writer Peter Flint said Huston filmed efficiently. He did not shoot many extra scenes like some directors. He also edited carefully so that financial backers could not easily cut scenes. Huston filmed most of his movies on location. He worked hard six days a week. On Sundays, he played poker with the cast and crew.

Kaminsky believes Huston's visual style came from his early experience as a painter in Paris. He studied art there for a year and a half. Huston continued painting as a hobby throughout his life. Many of his films showed his interest in images, moving portraits, and using color. He used "stylistic framing" and well-planned close-ups. For his first film, The Maltese Falcon, he sketched all his scenes beforehand, like paintings. His daughter, Anjelica Huston, remembered him constantly sketching storyboards. She said he had a very strong "sensory quality."

Personal life and death

Producer George Stevens, Jr. said Huston represented "intellect, charm and physical grace" in the film industry. He was very charismatic and had a soothing voice.

Huston loved the outdoors and hunting, especially when he lived in Ireland. Before becoming a Hollywood filmmaker, he was an amateur boxer, reporter, writer, artist, and cavalry rider in Mexico. He also made documentaries during World War II. Besides sports and adventure, he enjoyed strong drinks and relationships with women. Stevens described him as someone who "lived life to its fullest."

His daughter, Anjelica Huston, said he did not like Hollywood. He especially disliked Beverly Hills, thinking it was "fake." She noted that "he liked to be in the wild places; he liked animals as much as he liked people."

Huston married five times. He adopted a son, Pablo, in Mexico with his third wife, Evelyn Keyes. With his fourth wife, Enrica Soma, he had two children: Tony and Anjelica Huston. During this marriage, he also had a son, Danny Huston, with author Zoe Sallis. Danny later became an actor. In his autobiography, Huston said he regretted his fifth marriage.

His friends included Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway. Humphrey Bogart was one of his best friends. Huston gave the speech at Bogart's funeral.

Huston bought and restored a home in County Galway, Ireland. He became an Irish citizen in 1964. His daughter Anjelica went to school in Ireland. A film school at NUI Galway is now named after him.

Huston was a talented painter. He wrote in his autobiography that painting played a very important role in his life. He painted throughout his life and had art studios in his homes. He owned a large collection of art.

Huston was a heavy smoker. In 1978, he was diagnosed with emphysema, a lung disease. By the last year of his life, he needed oxygen to breathe for more than 20 minutes. He died on August 28, 1987, at age 81. He passed away from pneumonia, a complication of his lung disease. Huston is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with his mother.

Filmography

As screenwriter only

As an actor

Awards and honors

Statue of Huston, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

John Huston received 15 Oscar nominations. He is the oldest person ever nominated for Best Director. This was for Prizzi's Honor (1985) when he was 79 years old. He won two Oscars for directing and writing the screenplay for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Huston also won a Golden Globe for that film.

He received the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1983. He also got the Career Achievement Award from the U.S. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures in 1984.

Huston has a special honor: he directed both his father, Walter, and his daughter, Anjelica, in Oscar-winning performances. Walter won for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and Anjelica won for Prizzi's Honor. This made the Hustons the first family to have three generations of Academy Award winners. He also directed Anjelica in Sinful Davey in 1969.

He also directed 13 other actors who were nominated for Oscars. These include Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, and Jack Nicholson.

In 1960, Huston received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was for his contributions to movies. In 1965, he received the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement from the Writers Guild of America. In 1981, his film Escape to Victory was nominated for the Golden Prize at the 12th Moscow International Film Festival. A statue of Huston, sitting in his director's chair, stands in Plaza John Huston in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Major association awards

Academy Awards

Golden Globes

BAFTA Awards

Independent Spirit Awards

Critics awards

Film festivals

Guild awards

Other awards

Images for kids

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  Grave of John Huston and his mother, Rhea, at Hollywood Forever

See also

In Spanish: John Huston para niños