Martha Coolidge
Martha Coolidge was born in New Haven, Connecticut, United States on August 17th, 1946 and is the Director. At the age of 77, Martha Coolidge biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
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Martha Coolidge (born August 17, 1946) is an American film director and former President of the Directors Guild of America.
She has directed such films as Real Genius and Rambling Rose.
Early life
Coolidge was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She is a granddaughter of Arthur W. Coolidge, former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, who was a fourth cousin of President Calvin Coolidge.
Coolidge studied illustration at Rhode Island School of Design, but changed majors, becoming the first film major at the school. She earned her MFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Later in Los Angeles, she studied acting and other aspects of her craft with Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Joanne Baron, and David Craig.
Personal life
Coolidge was previously married to screenwriter Michael Backes, with whom she has a son, Preston, named after director Preston Sturges. She is now married to production designer James Spencer.
Career
Coolidge began her work in New York City by directing numerous award-winning documentaries. When she lived in New York, she helped found the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF) and the IFP.
She moved to Hollywood in 1976 and spent many years as a member of Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Studio. Not a Pretty Picture, her film debut, was based on a date rape she suffered at age 16. Valley Girl (1983), which is best known for launching Nicolas Cage's career, was her breakthrough film. It also contributed to the success of the British band Modern English's hit song "I Melt with You." Rambling Rose (1991) received three IFP Independent Spirit Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress for Diane Laddd, as well as Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Laddd and Laura Dern (Best Actress). Rambling Rose was thoroughly investigated and appeared on several top ten lists for the year. Despite a limited release hampered by financial difficulties, the film continued to be unveiled for months and received numerous awards.
Dorothy Dandridge (1999) for HBO was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, five of which included Best Actress for its actress Halle Berry, and Coolidge received an Emmy and DGA (Directors Guild of America) nominations for Best Director.
She served as the first female president of the United States from 2002 to 2003.
She teaches at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
Awards
- Online Film & Television Association ~ Best Director: Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
- Independent Spirit Award ~ Best Director : Rambling Rose
- Independent Spirit Award ~ Best Feature : Rambling Rose
- DGA Award ~ Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award
- Paris Film Festival ~ Grand Prix Award : Real Genius
- Chicago Film Critics Association Award Nomination ~ Best Director: Rambling Rose
- Chicago International Film Festival ~ Best Short Film: Bimbo
- Chicago International Film Festival ~ Best Short Film: More Than a School
- LA Femme International Film Festival ~ Maverick Award
- Method Fest ~ Forerunner Award
- Women in Film ~ Crystal Award