Born in Berlin, Germany. Dubbed "a man of pure Cinema" by Alfred Hitchcock, "a prince" by François Truffaut and "a giant" by Orson Welles, Ernst Lubitsch is a preeminent figure in the history of cinema. More than a great director of actors and action, Lubitsch added his own personal signature, "the Lubitsch touch," to all his work, a sense of style and grace that has rarely been matched on the screen. Born the son of a draper, Lubitsch gained prominence at the age of 19 as a member of Max Reinhardt's troupe; by 21, he had begun to create the comic screen persona "Meyer," a slapstick Jewish archetype who became a favorite of German audiences. The following year, Lubitsch got his first chance to display his filmmaking skills, writing and directing a one-reeler called MISS SOAPSUDS (1915)/FRÄULEIN SEIFENSCHAUM. Eager to test his own range and gain acceptance as a dramatic actor, Lubitsch wrote and directed WHEN I WAS DEAD (1916)/ALS ICH TOT WAR, but the film failed to stir the interest of an audience who loved "Meyer." Stereotyped as an actor, Lubitsch turned his full attention to directing and scored his first major success with SHOE SALON PINKUS (1916)/SCHUHPALAST PINKUS. The first Lubitsch picture to be shown in America was THE EYES OF THE MUMMY (1918)/DIE AUGEN DER MUMMIE MA, his first teaming of Pola Negri and Emil Jannings. It was their second film, however, with Lubitsch, PASSION (1919)/MADAME DU BARRY which proved to be his first masterwork, as well as a crucial film for the German film industry, as it was the first success of the film's co-producers, the newly formed UFA. With PASSION, Lubitsch became known for an unerring ability to "humanize" sumptuous screen spectacles and costume dramas, to give them the warmth that would endear them to the public. In 1923, Lubitsch's career would enter a new phase when Mary Pickford invited him to Hollywood to direct ROSITA. It was with his next film, THE MARRIAGE CIRCLE (1924), inspired by Chaplin's A WOMAN OF PARIS, that Lubitsch began to hone his famed "touch." With the arrival of sound, Lubitsch's ear for shimmering dialogue and exhilarating musical numbers only enhanced his talent. The director's greatest achievements would begin with TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932) and continue with such masterworks as DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933), THE MERRY WIDOW (1934), ANGEL (1937), NINOTCHKA (1939), THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940), TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1942), HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1943) and CLUNY BROWN (1946).

In 1935, Lubitsch was named head of production at Paramount, but his real talent lay in producing and directing motion pictures, not studio administration, and he was relieved of his duties after a year. During production on THAT LADY IN ERMINE (1948), he died of a heart attack, and the film was completed by Otto Preminger.  Nominated for Picture 1928-29: THE PATRIOT, Producer - Paramount  Nominated for Directing 1928-9: THE PATRIOT  Nominated for Picture 1929-30: THE LOVE PARADE, Producer - Paramount  Nominated for Directing 1929-30: THE LOVE PARADE  Nominated for Picture 1931-32: ONE HOUR WITH YOU, Producer - Paramount  Nominated for Picture 1931-32: THE SMILING LIEUTENANT, Producer - Paramount  Nominated for Picture 1943: HEAVEN CAN WAIT, Producer - 20th Century-Fox  Nominated for Directing 1943: HEAVEN CAN WAIT  Honorary Award 1946: "For his distinguished contributions to the art of the motion picture." 8 nominations, 1 Honorary Award