Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison, who made numerous Oscar-winning films in the United States such as “In the Heat of the Night” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” is no more.
Published at 4:02 p.m. Updated at 5:42 p.m
A publicist for the Toronto-born director confirmed that Mr. Jewison died peacefully at his home on Saturday. He was 97 years old.
Norman Jewison began his career as a young stage actor, but it was his first variety shows at the CBC that opened the doors to Hollywood for him.
The five Oscar-winning 1967 crime drama “In the Heat of the Night” was the first in a series of Jewison films that explored the effects of racism in the United States.
He revisited the theme of racial tensions with “A Soldier's Story,” a three-time Oscar finalist in 1984, and then with “The Hurricane” in 1999, which earned Denzel Washington a Best Actor Oscar nomination.
Norman Jewison also directed films that are now considered classics of American cinema, such as “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), with the haunting music of Michel Legrand, and the musical theater version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” (1973). He also directed the thrillers …And Justice for All (1979) and Agnes of God (1985), whose action was relocated to Quebec, but also the Oscar-winning romantic drama Moonstruck (1987) with Cher was, and Nicolas Cage.
The director, known for his hearty laugh and a certain self-confidence, has always hesitated to choose one of his favorite films, arguing that they are all like his children and all the result of determination, the right moment, good actors and actresses … and luck.
Norman Jewison was also a valued colleague and advisor to many film greats who claimed that his directing style could bring out the best in them.
The great actress Olympia Dukakis, for example, called him a “master craftsman” and “accomplished teacher” when accepting her Golden Globe for his participation in “Moonstruck.” She also won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for this Jewison-directed performance.