Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Director
Birthday
(Sunday)
Died
Height
187 cm (6'1")
Nationality
Religion
Atheism
Political Party
Republican Party
Languages
English
Spouses
Dorothy Harvey (1925-1933), Lesley Black (1937-1945), Evelyn Keyes (1946-1950), Enrica Soma (1950-1969), Celeste Shane (1972-1977)
Children
5 children: Allegra Huston, Anjelica Huston, Danny Huston, Tony Huston
Parents
Walter Huston, Rhea Gore
Education
Abraham Lincoln High School, Art Students League of New York, Hollywood High School
Zodiac Sign
♌ Leo
Chinese Zodiac
马 Horse
Name Origin
English < Hebrew (יוֹחָנָן)
Popularity
Tier B -- 72,770 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Career
Career spanning 75 years (1930-2005)
Notable
Career spanning 75 years (1930-2005) -- among the longest-active directors in S-tier
Screen debut
Directed first film at age 35
Frequent co-star
Appeared in 4 films with Robert Riettii
DROPTHE GOOD_
18
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
5
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
63
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
Be the first to vote
Filmography (50)
AWARDS (11)
B
AFI Life Achievement Award
1983
WON
G
Academy Award for Best Director
1949
WON
G
Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
1949
WON
G
Academy Awards
Academy Award for Best Director
1949
WON
Biography
John Marcellus Huston (August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and visual artist. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon (1941), The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), The Asphalt Jungle (1950), The African Queen (1951), The Misfits (1961), Fat City (1972), The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and Prizzi's Honor (1985).
In his early years, Huston studied and worked as a fine art painter in Paris. He explored the visual aspects of his films throughout his career, sketching each scene on paper beforehand, then carefully framing his characters during the shooting. While most directors rely on post-production editing to shape their final work, Huston instead created his films while they were being shot, with little editing needed. Some of Huston's films were adaptations of important novels, often depicting an "heroic quest," as in Moby Dick, or The Red Badge of Courage. In many films, different groups of people, while struggling toward a common goal, would become doomed, forming "destructive alliances," giving the films a dramatic and visual tension. Many of his films involved themes such as religion, meaning, truth, freedom, psychology, colonialism, and war.
Huston has been referred to as "a titan", "a rebel", and a "renaissance man" in the Hollywood film industry. Author Ian Freer describes him as "cinema's Ernest Hemingway"—a filmmaker who was "never afraid to tackle tough issues head on." During his 46-year career, Huston received 15 Oscar nominations, winning twice. He directed both his father, Walter Huston, and daughter, Anjelica Huston, to Oscar wins.
Connections (13)
Works at
Universal Pictures
Parent of
Danny Huston
Parent of
Tony Huston
Parent of
Anjelica Huston
Married to
Evelyn Keyes
Spouse of
Evelyn Keyes
Spouse of
Enrica Soma
Spouse of
Celeste Shane
Spouse of
Lesley Black
Spouse of
Dorothy Harvey
Parent of
Allegra Huston
Child of
Walter Huston
Child of
Rhea Gore
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was John Huston?
John Huston was born on and passed away on at the age of 81.
Where was John Huston born?
John Huston was born in Nevada, Missouri, USA.
What movies or shows has John Huston been in?
John Huston has 50 credits in our database. Notable titles include Filmmakers vs. Tycoons (2005), The Dead (1987), Momo (1986), The Black Cauldron (1985), Prizzi's Honor (1985).
What is John Huston known for?
John Huston is primarily known as a director. John Marcellus Huston (August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and visual artist. He wrote the screenplays for…
Where can I find more information about John Huston?
You can find more about John Huston on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
James Gunn →