Born in Holitz, Austria-Hungary (now Holic, Czech Republic). Formerly an assistant to Max Reinhardt, he came to the US with the master and stayed to become a prominent art director and production designer, winning Academy Awards for THE HEIRESS (1949) (in collaboration) and THE HUSTLER (1961). Other notable production design credits include STAGE DOOR CANTEEN (1943), A DOUBLE LIFE (1947), OUTRAGE and BORN YESTERDAY (both 1950), ANDROCLES AND THE LION (1952), SEPARATE TABLES (1958), WHO IS HARRY KELLERMAN... (1971), UP THE SANDBOX (1972), THE BLACK BIRD (1975), HARRY AND WALTER GO TO NEW YORK (1976), AUDREY ROSE (1977) and his last film, THE JAZZ SINGER (1980). His work as director was less impressive: RED PLANET MARS and BEWARE, MY LOVELY (both 1952), VICKI (1953), NEW FACES (1954), A LIFE IN THE BALANCE (1955) and MAN FROM DEL RIO and THE WILD PARTY (both 1956). From the 1960s, Horner was active as a TV producer-director. His son is Oscar®-winning film composer James Horner (b. 1953).  Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1949: THE HEIRESS - Art Direction (w. John Meehan)  Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1961: THE HUSTLER - Art Direction  Nominated for Art Direction/Set Decoration 1969: THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? - Art Direction 3 nominations, 2 Awards