Franklin J. Schaffner

Franklin James Schaffner was an American film, television, and stage director whose career spanned nearly four decades, earning him a reputation as a master of epic storytelling. Born on May 30, 1920 in Tokyo, Japan to missionary parents, he grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian of J.P. McCaskey High School’s inaugural class and later earning a degree from Franklin & Marshall College. After a brief stint at Columbia Law School, his studies were interrupted by service as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II, where he also worked with the Office of Strategic Services in the Pacific. Returning home, Schaffner entered the world of television, directing groundbreaking live dramas for CBS such as Studio One and Playhouse 90; his work on Twelve Angry Men and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial garnered multiple Emmy Awards. His early television success paved the way for a transition to feature films, beginning with The Stripper (1963) and reaching a pinnacle with the iconic science‑fiction classic Planet of the Apes (1968). Schaffner’s most celebrated achievement came with the biopic Patton (1970), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director and the Directors Guild of America Award, cementing his status among Hollywood’s elite. Over the next two decades he delivered a string of notable works—including Nicholas and Alexandra, Papillon, The Boys from Brazil, and the critically praised Lionheart—while frequently collaborating with composer Jerry Goldsmith and actors such as Charlton Heston, George C. Scott, and Laurence Olivier. In addition to his artistic output, Schaffner served as President of the Directors Guild of America from 1987 until his death in 1989, leaving a lasting legacy honored by awards and scholarships that continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers. His meticulous craftsmanship, dedication to storytelling, and willingness to tackle ambitious subjects have ensured his place in cinematic history.