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 a talented American film director. She has also been the President of the Directors Guild of America, which is a big deal in the film world. Martha Coolidge is known for directing popular movies like Valley Girl, Real Genius, and Rambling Rose.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Martha Coolidge was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She is related to Calvin Coolidge, who was a former President of the United States.
Martha first studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. She then became the very first film student at that school! Later, she earned a special degree in film from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She also learned about acting and filmmaking from famous teachers in Los Angeles.
A Career in Film and TV
Martha Coolidge started her career by directing many award-winning documentaries in New York City. Documentaries are films that tell true stories. She also helped start a group called the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF). This group helps independent filmmakers.
In 1976, she moved to Hollywood. She worked at Zoetrope Studio, a film studio started by famous director Francis Ford Coppola. Her first big movie was Valley Girl (1983). This movie helped launch the career of actor Nicolas Cage.
Her film Rambling Rose (1991) won several important awards. It won three Independent Spirit Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. The actresses in the film, Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, were also nominated for Oscars and Golden Globe awards. Rambling Rose was highly praised by critics.
Martha Coolidge also directed Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) for HBO. This TV movie was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, winning five! Its star, Halle Berry, won Best Actress. Martha Coolidge herself was nominated for an Emmy and a DGA award for her directing.
From 2002 to 2003, Martha Coolidge made history. She became the first female president of the Directors Guild of America. This is a very important organization for film and TV directors. She also taught filmmaking at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
Personal Life
Martha Coolidge has a son named Preston with her first husband, Michael Backes. Preston was named after the famous director Preston Sturges. Martha is now married to James Spencer, who works as a production designer in films.
Awards and Recognition
Martha Coolidge has received many awards for her directing work.
- Independent Spirit Award, Best Director for Rambling Rose
- Independent Spirit Award, Best Feature for Rambling Rose
- DGA Award, Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award
- Paris Film Festival, Grand Prix Award for Real Genius
- Chicago International Film Festival, Best Short Film for More Than a School
- LA Femme International Film Festival, Maverick Award
- Method Fest, Forerunner Award
- Women in Film Award, Crystal Award
She has also been nominated for other major awards:
- Emmy Award, Outstanding Directing for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
- DGA Award, Best Director for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
- CableACE Award, Best Director for Crazy in Love
- Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Best Director for Rambling Rose
Selected Filmography
Martha Coolidge has directed many films and TV shows. Here are some of them:
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Valley Girl | Yes | No | No | |
| 1984 | City Girl | Yes | Story | Yes | |
| 1985 | Real Genius | Yes | No | No | |
| 1988 | Plain Clothes | Yes | No | No | |
| 1991 | Rambling Rose | Yes | No | No | |
| 1993 | Lost in Yonkers | Yes | No | No | |
| 1994 | Angie | Yes | No | No | |
| 1995 | Three Wishes | Yes | No | No | |
| 1997 | Out to Sea | Yes | No | No | |
| 2004 | The Prince & Me | Yes | No | No | |
| 2006 | Material Girls | Yes | No | No | |
| 2019 | I'll Find You | Yes | No | No |
Television Series
| Year | Title | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Sledge Hammer! | "Under the Gun" |
| The Twilight Zone | "Night of the Meek" | |
| "Quarantine" | ||
| "Shelter Skelter" | ||
| 2001 | Masterpiece | "The Pounder Heart" |
| Leap Years | "Pilot" | |
| 2002 | Sex and the City | "A Vogue Idea" and "I Heart New York" |
| 2003 | Hidden Hills | "The Concert" |
| 2005 | Huff | "All the Kings Horses" |
| 2006 | Related | "Not Without My Daughter" |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | "Living Legend" | |
| "Redrum" | ||
| "Take my life Please" | ||
| "Fracked" | ||
| "Maid Man" | ||
| 2007 | Shark | 1 episode |
| Psych | "Truer Lies" | |
| 2013 | Cult | "The Good Fight" |
| The Glades | "Glade-iators!" | |
| 2014 | Killer Women | "Warrior" |
| The Night Shift | "Blood Brothers" | |
| Madam Secretary | "Passage" | |
| 2016 | Angie Tribeca | "The Famous Ventriloquist Did It" |
| 2018 | Siren | "Showdown" |
TV Movies
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Trenchcoat in Paradise | |
| 1991 | Bare Essentials | |
| 1992 | Crazy in Love | |
| 1999 | Introducing Dorothy Dandridge | |
| 2000 | If These Walls Could Talk 2 | Segment "1972" |
| 2001 | The Flamingo Rising | |
| 2004 | The 12 Days of Christmas Eve | |
| 2009 | An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong | |
| Tribute |
See also
In Spanish: Martha Coolidge para niños
- List of female film and television directors
- List of LGBT-related films directed by women
