Sidney Lumet (, loo-MET; born June 25, 1924) is an
American film director, with over 50 films to his name, including
12 Angry Men (1957),
Serpico (1973),
Dog Day Afternoon (1975),
Network (1976) and
The Verdict (1982), all of which, except for
Serpico (1973), earned him
Academy Award nominations for
Best Director.
According to
The Encyclopedia of Hollywood, Lumet is one of the most prolific directors of the modern era making more than one movie per year on average since his directorial debut in 1957. He is especially noted for his ability to draw major actors to his projects. "Because of his visual economy, strong direction of actors, vigorous storytelling and use of the camera to accent themes," states
Turner Classic Movies. "Lumet produced a body of work that could only be defined as extraordinary."
["TCM Biography"]