Martha Coolidge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha Coolidge
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Coolidge interviewed in 2009
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Martha Patterson Coolidge
August 17, 1946 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Rhode Island School of Design NYU Tisch School of the Arts (MFA) |
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| Years active | 1972-present |
| Spouse(s) | Michael Backes (divorced) James Spencer |
| Children | 1 |
Martha Coolidge (born August 17, 1946) is an American film director known for making popular movies like Valley Girl and Real Genius. She was also the first female president of the Directors Guild of America, an important organization for movie directors.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Martha Coolidge was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Her family has a connection to American history. Her grandfather, Arthur W. Coolidge, was the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts and a distant cousin of U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.
Coolidge first went to the Rhode Island School of Design to study illustration. However, she discovered a passion for movies and became the school's first-ever film student. She later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University's famous Tisch School of the Arts. To improve her skills, she also studied acting in Los Angeles.
A Career in Filmmaking
Starting Out
Coolidge began her career in New York City, where she directed many award-winning documentaries. Documentaries are films that show real-life events and people. While in New York, she helped start a group called the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers to support directors working outside of big studios.
In 1976, she moved to Hollywood and worked with the famous director Francis Ford Coppola at his Zoetrope Studio. Her first major film as a director was Not a Pretty Picture. This movie was based on a difficult and serious event from her own teenage years.
Major Successes
Coolidge's big break came in 1983 with the movie Valley Girl. This fun, independent film was a hit and helped start the career of actor Nicolas Cage.
Another one of her famous films is Rambling Rose (1991). This movie was highly praised by critics and won several awards, including three Independent Spirit Awards. The film's stars, Laura Dern and Diane Ladd, were even nominated for Oscars.
In 1999, Coolidge directed Introducing Dorothy Dandridge for HBO. The movie, starring Halle Berry, was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards and won five. Coolidge herself earned nominations for Best Director from both the Emmys and the Directors Guild of America (DGA).
Leadership and Teaching
From 2002 to 2003, Martha Coolidge served as the president of the Directors Guild of America. She was the first woman ever to hold this important position. The DGA is a group that represents and supports film and television directors across the United States.
She has also shared her knowledge with new filmmakers by teaching at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
Personal Life
Martha Coolidge was married to screenwriter Michael Backes, and they have a son named Preston. She is now married to production designer James Spencer.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Coolidge has received many awards for her work. Some of her most important honors include:
- Independent Spirit Award for Best Director and Best Feature for Rambling Rose.
- DGA Award for her lifetime achievements.
- Grand Prix Award at a Paris film festival for Real Genius.
- Crystal Award from Women in Film, an organization that honors women in entertainment.
Selected Filmography
Martha Coolidge has directed many movies and television shows. Here are some of her most well-known works.
Famous Films
- Not a Pretty Picture (1976)
- Valley Girl (1983)
- Real Genius (1985)
- Rambling Rose (1991)
- Lost in Yonkers (1993)
- Out to Sea (1997)
- The Prince & Me (2004)
- Material Girls (2006)
Television Work
- The Twilight Zone (3 episodes)
- Sledge Hammer! (1 episode)
- ... and the City (2 episodes)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (5 episodes)
- Psych (1 episode)
- Madam Secretary (1 episode)
- Siren (1 episode)
TV Movies
- Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
- If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)
- An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Martha Coolidge para niños
- List of female film and television directors
- List of LGBT-related films directed by women
