John Huston backdrop
DIRECTING . Directing . 81 years (deceased) . Nevada, Missouri, USA

John Huston_

OSCAR WINNER Nevada, Missouri, USA

"Born — Died "

Born Nevada, Missouri, USA
Birthday
81
Lived
50
Credits
Director
Known For
1.4
Popularity
75 yrs
Career
Updated Feb 20, 2026

Details

Known For
Director
Birthday
(Sunday)
Died
Birthplace
Nevada, Missouri, USA
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

Birthday twin
Shares a birthday (August 5) with James Gunn
James Gunn →
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
How is this calculated?

Filmography (50)

Filmmakers vs. Tycoons
Filmmakers vs. Tycoons
2005 / Film
Film
The Dead
The Dead
1987 / Film
Director
Momo
Momo
1986 / Film
Meister Hora
The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron
1985 / Film
Narrator (voice)
Prizzi's Honor
Prizzi's Honor
1985 / Film
Director
Under the Volcano
Under the Volcano
1984 / Film
Director
Lovesick
Lovesick
1983 / Film
Film
A Minor Miracle
A Minor Miracle
1983 / Film
Film
Annie
Annie
1982 / Film
Director
Cannery Row
Cannery Row
1982 / Film
Narrator

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.

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.
SHARE