Francis Ford Coppola

Overview

Francis Ford Coppola is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He's considered one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers of the 20th century, often credited with ushering in a new era for Hollywood that established the director as the principal creative force of a film.

Coppola began his professional career under the tutelage of B-movie icon Roger Corman. His 1972 film "The Godfather" was a major commercial and critical success despite its unorthodox approaches, and established the young filmmaker as a visionary. His other 1970s films—1974's "The Conversation" and 1979's "Apocalypse Now"—were critically acclaimed works that pushed the boundaries of filmmaking through their experimentations with sound, special effects, and the role of the director.

Coppola has been awarded six Oscars and is one of just nine directors to win two Palm d'Or prizes, the top honor at the Cannes Film Festival.

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