Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

Born in Newark, NJ; educatied at Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA (scenic design). Wurtzel began his career designing for the stage, spending four years with San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater before commencing film work in the mid-1970s. His designs have ranged from Brooklyn's Jewish neighborhoods of the 40s (BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, 1986) to Manhattan in the late 70s (TIMES SQUARE, 1980) to revolutionary Mexico (OLD GRINGO, 1989). Other notable production design credits include HESTER STREET (1975), HAIR (1979), TATTOO (1981), THE CHOSEN (1982), THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO (1985), SUSPECT (1987), THE HOUSE ON CARROLL STREET (1988), STAYING TOGETHER (1989), 3 MEN AND A LITTLE LADY and MERMAIDS (both 1990), THE MAMBO KINGS and USED PEOPLE (both 1992), WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN and I.Q. (both 1994), BEFORE AND AFTER and THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS (both 1996), JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE (1997), STEPMOM (1998), CURTAIN CALL (1999), ISN'T SHE GREAT (2000), "Wit" (2001, TV), MURDER BY NUMBERS (2002), "Angels in America" (2003, TV mini-series), LITTLE MANHATTAN (2005), CHARLOTTE'S WEB (2006), ENCHANTED (2007), "Lipstick Jungle" (TV series) and WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS (both 2008). Wurtzel is married to another leading production designer, Patrizia von Brandenstein.  Nominated for Art Direction/Set Decoration 1986: HANNAH AND HER SISTERS - Art Direction 1 nomination