Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison, who made several Oscar-winning films including “In the Heat of the Night” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” died peacefully at his home last Saturday, his publicist Jeff Sanderson confirmed.
Norman Jewison began his career as a theater actor, but it was his work running various CBC variety shows that opened the doors to Hollywood for him.
The five Oscar-winning crime drama In the Heat of the Night (1967) was the first in a series of films by the director that dealt with the effects of racism.
The filmmaker revisited the theme of racial tensions in 1984's “A Soldier's Story,” which received three Oscar nominations, and in 1999's “Hurricane Carter,” which enabled Denzel Washington to win the Oscar for best actor .
He also directed “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), starring Steve McQueen, the musical film “Jesus Christ Superstar” (1973), and the thrillers “Justice for All” and ” Agnes of God.” , 1985).
Norman Jewison was particularly admired by his colleagues, including actress Olympia Dukakis, who called him a master of the craft during her acceptance speech at the 1988 Golden Globes, where his film Moonlight won three awards. The film allowed three artists to win Oscars: Cher (Best Actress), Olympia Dukakis (Best Supporting Actress) and John Patrick Shanley (Best Original Screenplay).
The filmmaker received an Oscar in 1999 for his entire career.