(born 1909) Greek American director whose career was darkened by his willingness to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. This sparked protests even when he was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the 1999 Oscars. Kazan, a cofounder of Actor’s Studio and “method acting,” drew superb performances from Marlon Brando (A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951; Viva Zapata!, 1952; and their masterwork, the tense, naturalistic On the Waterfront, 1954), James Dean (East of Eden, 1955) and others.

While his films pioneered adult representations of sexuality; his “social-message” dramas (e.g. Gentlemen’s Agreement, 1947 on anti-Semitism) have not aged as well. Kazan also worked extensively in theater before devoting himself to writing and more personal films.