Morton DaCosta facts for kids
Morton DaCosta (born March 7, 1914 – died January 26, 1989) was a talented American director. He worked in both theatre (stage plays) and films. He was also a film producer, a writer, and an actor.
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Morton DaCosta's Career Journey
Morton DaCosta was born Morton Tecosky in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started his career as an actor. His first big acting role was in a Broadway play called The Skin of Our Teeth in 1942.
About ten years later, he began directing plays. His first play as a director was The Grey-Eyed People.
Directing Hit Broadway Shows
The 1950s were a very successful time for DaCosta on Broadway. He directed many popular shows, including:
- Plain and Fancy
- No Time for Sergeants
- Auntie Mame
- The Music Man
He also directed other Broadway productions like Sherry!, The Women, Saratoga, and Maggie Flynn. For Saratoga and Maggie Flynn, he also helped write the story.
Directing Films
Morton DaCosta didn't just direct plays; he also directed and produced movies. His films include:
- Auntie Mame (1958)
- The Music Man (1962)
- Island of Love (1963)
Awards and Nominations
Morton DaCosta received many important nominations for his work.
Awards for The Music Man
The Broadway play The Music Man was a huge success. DaCosta was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.
When The Music Man was made into a film, he also received nominations for Best Director. These nominations came from the Directors Guild of America Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. As the producer of the film, he was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.
Awards for Auntie Mame
His first movie as a director was Auntie Mame. This film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Even though both Auntie Mame and The Music Man were nominated for Best Picture, DaCosta himself was not nominated for Best Director for these films.
Morton DaCosta, who was often called "Tec" by his friends, passed away from heart failure in Redding, Connecticut.
