49 Facts About Curtis Hanson

Curtis Lee Hanson was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer.

Curtis Hanson was born in Reno, Nevada, and grew up in Los Angeles.

Curtis Hanson dropped out of high school, finding work as a freelance photographer and editor for Cinema magazine.

In 1973, Curtis Hanson wrote and directed his first feature, Sweet Kill starring Tab Hunter.

The film came about when Curtis Hanson approached the executive producer Roger Corman about the possibility of writing and directing a film for him.

Curtis Hanson wrote the script originally with the killer as a female.

In 1978, Curtis Hanson wrote and was an associate producer for Daryl Duke's Canadian film The Silent Partner.

The film came about when Curtis Hanson was being asked to direct b-level picture and decided to write something more ambitious.

In 1980, Curtis Hanson directed The Little Dragons starring Chris and Pat Petersen.

In 1982, Curtis Hanson was among the screenwriters of Samuel Fuller's White Dog.

White Dog was a 1970 novel, whose story was purchased for use by Paramount in 1975, with Curtis Hanson selected to write the screenplay and Roman Polanski hired to direct.

In 1982, Curtis Hanson directed Losin' It, a teen-comedy starring Tom Cruise, about teenagers going to Tijuana to visit a brothel.

In 1986, Curtis Hanson directed the made-for-television crime drama film The Children of Times Square.

In 1987, Curtis Hanson directed The Bedroom Window starring Steve Guttenberg, Isabelle Huppert, and Elizabeth McGovern.

The film came about, while Curtis Hanson was only offered teen-comedies after Losin' It and wanted to accomplish something like The Silent Partners.

Curtis Hanson explains that, when he read the novel The Witness by Anne Holden and tried to get the film rights.

Already bought by Paramount, Curtis Hanson made a deal with them.

Curtis Hanson says McGovern was his "only choice" for the part of Denise.

Curtis Hanson decided to cast French actress Huppert for a part of an American character, who felt she added sophistication to the role.

Curtis Hanson says Guttenberg was not his first choice for the lead but rather a suggestion by producer Dino De Laurentiis, due to his popularity in comedies.

Curtis Hanson agreed to cast Guttenberg, when he saw the actor's enthusiasm, and his eagerness to escape typecast.

In 1990, Curtis Hanson directed Bad Influence, starring Rob Lowe and James Spader.

Curtis Hanson stated that the film bears similarities to his earlier movies, The Silent Partner and The Bedroom Window.

In 1992 Curtis Hanson directed The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.

In 1994, Curtis Hanson directed the adventure film The River Wild starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, and David Strathairn.

Confidential, and his hiring as a writer and director, Curtis Hanson had been a long-time fan of the author.

Curtis Hanson was joined by screenwriter Brian Helgeland who had lobbied to be its writer prior to the hiring of Curtis Hanson.

In 2000 Curtis Hanson directed Wonder Boys, a comedy drama starring Michael Douglas and Tobey Maguire.

Curtis Hanson contacted Dante Spinotti about working on the film in November 1998.

In 2000, Curtis Hanson directed the music video "Things Have Changed" by Bob Dylan.

In 2002, Curtis Hanson directed 8 Mile a semi-biographical hip hop drama film about and starring rapper Eminem.

Curtis Hanson explained that his bond with Eminem began when they discussed their shared vision for 8 Mile.

Curtis Hanson noted that Eminem didn't want a vanity project; instead, he sought to be part of a meaningful film.

Ultimately, Curtis Hanson was won over by Eminem's natural charisma, particularly in his expressive eyes, a quality Curtis Hanson described as essential for engaging audiences and carrying the story.

Curtis Hanson added that Eminem was involved in 8 Mile from the project's inception, as writer Scott Silver developed the script with him in mind.

Curtis Hanson reworked the script to ground it in Detroit's identity, moving the character to an automotive stamping plant, shifting the timeline to 1995, and adding elements like the local radio station and arson scenes emblematic of the city's struggles.

Also in 2002, Curtis Hanson directed Piddler on the roof an episode of the sitcom Greg the Bunny.

In 2005, Curtis Hanson directed the comedy drama In Her Shoes, starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette.

Curtis Hanson wrote, produced and directed the 2007 film Lucky You.

Curtis Hanson developed the film with his producing partner Carol Fenelon, who was a regular competitor in poker tournaments.

In 2010, Curtis Hanson served as an executive producer for Win-Loss and episode of the television show Three Rivers.

The film received 11 nominations at the Emmy Awards, with Curtis Hanson being nominated for "Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special" and "Outstanding Miniseries or Movie".

Also in 2011, Curtis Hanson produced David Frankel's film The Big Year.

Curtis Hanson later retired from film work and was reported to have frontotemporal dementia.

Curtis Hanson had a son named Rio, with his partner Rebecca Yeldham.

In 2016, Curtis Hanson died of natural causes at his Hollywood Hills home at the age of 71.

Curtis Hanson was unaware of his condition as lack of awareness of the presence of the disease is a symptom in and of itself.

Curtis Hanson said that he was heavily influenced by the directors Alfred Hitchcock and Nicholas Ray.

Curtis Hanson became one of the five directors to ever sweep "The Big Four" critics awards.