Born Ruben Sax in Philadelphia, PA; educated at Temple University. Former radio journalist and Marine who co-wrote several hard-boiled, realistic dramas including Jules Dassin's BRUTE FORCE (1947), John Huston's KEY LARGO (1948) and Stuart Heisler's STORM WARNING (1951). Brooks made his directorial debut in 1950 with the political thriller, CRISIS and turned out a number of taut, male-oriented features before landing in the spotlight with BLACKBOARD JUNGLE (1955). The violent, gritty schoolroom drama dealt with juvenile deliquency and racial tensions, catapulted Sidney Poitier to fame, and virtually introduced rock 'n' roll to the screen as Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" blasted over the credits. Brooks consolidated his position in the front rank of Hollywood directors with several fine literary adaptations. ELMER GANTRY (1960) was an explosive, award-winning version of Sinclair Lewis's exposé of evangelists; CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958) and SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH (1962) were superb, if relatively tame, adaptations of Tennessee Williams's plays; and IN COLD BLOOD (1967) was a suitably noirish treatment of Truman Capote's reality-based novel. Beginning with THE PROFESSIONALS (1966) and continuing through BITE THE BULLET (1975), Brooks developed an interesting take on the western genre, using the frontier experience as a context to explore the relationship between tradition and change. His career tailed off in the 70s, though LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR (1977) featured a bravura central performance by Diane Keaton. Brooks was married to his first wife Jean from 1941 until they divorced in 1944. In 1960 Brooks married actress Jean Simmons, who starred in his ELMER GANTRY that year and later in THE HAPPY ENDING (1969). They divorced in 1977.

Nominated for Writing (Screenplay) 1955: BLACKBOARD JUNGLE  Nominated for Directing 1958: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1958: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (w. James Poe)  Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1960: ELMER GANTRY  Nominated for Directing 1966: THE PROFESSIONALS  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1966: THE PROFESSIONALS  Nominated for Directing 1967: IN COLD BLOOD  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1967: IN COLD BLOOD 8 nominations, 1 Award