Andrew V. McLaglen

Andrew Victor McLaglen (July 28, 1920 – August 30, 2014) was a British-born American film and television director, admired for his work on Westerns and adventure films, most notably, those starring John Wayne or James Stewart. Born in London to the British-American actor Victor McLaglen and his wife, Enid Lamont, who relocated to Hollywood soon after his birth, McLaglen grew up surrounded by the film industry, with his family and figures like John Wayne and John Ford heavily influencing him. He attended several prestigious schools and developed his passion for cinema amidst this environment. His initial stepping stone into the world of film was through a job as an assistant at Republic Pictures, leading him to assist in noteworthy films such as John Ford's The Quiet Man. His directorial debut came with Man in the Vault (1956), and he progressed to directing popular TV shows and eventually, major studio features such as McLintock! (1963) and Shenandoah (1965). He took a brief hiatus then bounced back to direct popular adventure films and several TV initiatives till the late 1980s, rounding off an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Personal life saw McLaglen married four times and was father to four children. He spent his later years in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington State, immersing himself in local theatrical activities till his death in 2014.