Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Director
Occupations
Writer, Screenwriter
Birthday
(Tuesday)
Died
Birthplace
Bisacquino, Sicilia, Italia
Nationality
Citizenship
Italy, Kingdom of Italy, United States
Political Party
Republican Party
Languages
English, Italian
Spouse
Helen Howell (1923-1928)
Children
1 child: Frank Capra, Jr.
Education
Manual Arts High School, California Institute of Technology
Zodiac Sign
♉ Taurus
Chinese Zodiac
鸡 Rooster
Name Origin
English < Proto-Germanic (*frankô)
Popularity
Tier B -- 32,633 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Career
Career spanning 86 years (1919-2005)
Notable
Career spanning 86 years (1919-2005) -- among the longest-active directors in A-tier
Screen debut
Directed first film at age 21
Zodiac
Born in the Year of the Rooster
DROPTHE GOOD_
21
Elite
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
20
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
55
Public Vote
★
★
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★
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Filmography (50)
Why We Fight
Film
A Personal Jour...
A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies
Film
Rendezvous in Space
Director, Producer
When Comedy Was King
Film
A Hole in the Head
Director, Producer
Hemo the Magnificent
Director
Westward the Women
Writer
Here Comes the Groom
Director, Producer
Riding High
Producer, Director
State of the Union
Director, Producer
AWARDS (14)
B
National Medal of Arts
1986
WON
B
AFI Life Achievement Award
1982
WON
B
Inkpot Award
1974
WON
B
Golden Plate Award
1970
WON
Biography
Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was a Sicilian-born American film director and a creative force behind a number of films of the 1930s and 1940s, including It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). His films often deal with rags-to-riches stories wich has led film historians such as Ian Freer to consider him the "American Dream personified".
Connections (4)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Frank Capra?
Frank Capra was born on and passed away on at the age of 94.
Where was Frank Capra born?
Frank Capra was born in Bisacquino, Sicilia, Italia.
What movies or shows has Frank Capra been in?
Frank Capra has 50 credits in our database. Notable titles include Why We Fight (2005), A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995), Rendezvous in Space (1964), When Comedy Was King (1960), A Hole in the Head (1959).
What is Frank Capra known for?
Frank Capra is primarily known as a director. Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was a Sicilian-born American film director and a creative force behind…
Where can I find more information about Frank Capra?
You can find more about Frank Capra on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
