Tamar Simon Hoffs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tamar Simon Hoffs
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Hoffs in 2009
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| Born |
Tamar Ruth Simon
October 23, 1934 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Occupation | Director, producer, screenwriter |
| Spouse(s) | Joshua Hoffs |
| Children | 3, including Susanna Hoffs |
Tamar Simon Hoffs (born Tamar Ruth Simon on October 23, 1934) is an American filmmaker. She is well-known for directing independent movies like Red Roses and Petrol (2003) and Pound of Flesh (2009). Both of these films starred the actor Malcolm McDowell. Tamar Hoffs is also the mother of Susanna Hoffs, who is a singer in the famous band The Bangles.
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Life and Career Highlights
Tamar Hoffs was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Chicago and went to the University of Chicago. She also studied at Yale University and the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Starting in Filmmaking
Tamar Hoffs began her film career almost by chance. An actor friend, Leonard Nimoy, asked her to help with the art for his independent film, Deathwatch. In 1974, she helped write the movie Lepke for Warner Brothers. This film starred Tony Curtis.
Later, Hoffs wrote and produced Stony Island. This was an independent film about young R&B musicians in Chicago. The movie was shown at several film festivals, including Sundance Film Festival. It won the Lincoln Award at the Chicago International Film Festival.
Directing and Producing
In 1980, Tamar Hoffs was chosen for a special program called the AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Her first movie as a director was a short comedy called The Haircut (1983). This film starred John Cassavetes. It was shown at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival.
In 1987, Hoffs made history. She became the first woman to be the director, writer, and producer for a major studio movie. This film was The Allnighter for Universal Studios.
She also wrote, produced, and directed the musical Rock n' Read (1989). This movie starred Pauly Shore. In 1999, she worked on Smokin': Somebody Stop Me, a series about the dangers of tobacco.
Tamar Hoffs was also a producer, writer, and voice director for the animated TV series, Horrible Histories (2001). This show was narrated by Stephen Rea.
Later Films and Music Videos
In 2003, Hoffs wrote, directed, and produced Red Roses and Petrol. This movie was based on a play and starred Malcolm McDowell. Her next movie, Pound of Flesh, also starred Malcolm McDowell. It was released in 2010.
Hoffs has also directed and produced many music videos. She worked on two famous videos for The Bangles: "Going Down to Liverpool" and "If She Knew What She Wants". She also directed a play called Ghost Music in 1984.
Tamar Hoffs is a member of important groups for filmmakers. These include the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America West.
Family Life
Tamar Hoffs was married to Joshua Allen Hoffs. They have three children: John, Jesse, and Susanna Hoffs. Susanna is a well-known singer in the band The Bangles.
Filmography
- Pound of Flesh (writer, director, producer), 2009
- Red Roses and Petrol (writer, director, producer), 2003
- Horrible Histories (TV series) (producer), 25 episodes, 2001–2002
- Rock & Read (writer, director, producer), 1989
- The Allnighter (writer, director), 1987
- The Bangles music video "If She Knew What She Wants" (producer), 1986
- Stand Alone (associate producer), 1985
- The Bangles music video "Going Down to Liverpool" (director), 1984
- The Haircut (writer, director), 1982
- Stony Island (writer, producer), 1978
- At Home with Shields and Yarnell (associate producer), 1978
- Lepke (writer), 1975
