Tom Mankiewicz American screenwriter, director and producer Date of Birth: 01.06.1942 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Film Career Beginnings
3. Screenwriting Success
4. Collaboration with the Bond Franchise
5. "Superman" and Beyond
6. Personal Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Thomas Francis Mankiewicz was born on June 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, California. His parents were the renowned director and screenwriter Joseph Leo Mankiewicz and the Austrian-born American actress Rose Stradner. In 1950, the family relocated to New York City, where Tom attended a prestigious boarding school. Subsequently, he pursued drama at the Yale Drama School and graduated in 1963.

Film Career Beginnings

During his college years, Mankiewicz gained practical experience as an actor and director at a summer theater in Massachusetts. In 1961, he secured his first film industry job as a third assistant director on the Western film "The Comancheros." Two years later, he worked on the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical "The Best Man."

Screenwriting Success

Mankiewicz's breakthrough as an original screenwriter came with "Please," a story about a young actress's final moments before committing suicide. Though the script was never filmed, it garnered him recognition and job offers. In 1967, he collaborated on a television special about Nancy Sinatra, which featured legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lee Hazelwood.

Collaboration with the Bond Franchise

Mankiewicz's talent caught the attention of James Bond film producer Albert Broccoli. In 1971, he wrote the screenplay for "Diamonds Are Forever," successfully enticing Sean Connery to reprise his iconic role. His association with the franchise continued with "Live and Let Die," "The Man with the Golden Gun," "The Spy Who Loved Me," and "Moonraker."

"Superman" and Beyond

In 1977, director Richard Donner turned to Mankiewicz to shape the unwieldy script for "Superman" and its sequel. Mankiewicz's deft pen transformed a mountain of disjointed material into the screenplay for the blockbuster. Over the years, he remained actively involved in the film industry, including teaching cinematography at Chapman University and serving on the boards of various organizations, such as the Writers' and Director's Guilds and the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.

Personal Life and Legacy

Mankiewicz maintained a residence in Kenya, East Africa, for eight years. He was also an avid supporter of the Los Angeles Zoo. Outside of filmmaking, he bred and raced thoroughbred horses, holding a position on the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. Tom Mankiewicz passed away at his Los Angeles home on July 31, 2010, three months after undergoing surgery for cancer. He left behind a legacy as a highly respected screenwriter, director, and producer who made significant contributions to the film industry.