Hal Ashby

Hal Ashby, born as William Hal Ashby on September 2, 1929 in Ogden, Utah, was an emblematic American film director and editor. His directorial style and film choices epitomized the countercultural temperament of the era. Ashby is often grouped with the New Hollywood wave of filmmaking alongside influential directors such as Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Mike Nichols, and Sidney Lumet. Before stepping into the director's chair, Ashby edited films for Norman Jewison, most notably The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966), and In the Heat of the Night (1967). Both films garnered him Oscar nominations for Best Editing, with him winning for In the Heat of the Night. His directorial practise ranges from unique films featuring iconic performances, like Coming Home (1978) for which he received a Best Director nomination, to several other notable films like The Landlord (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), The Last Detail (1973), Shampoo (1975), Bound for Glory (1976), and Being There (1979). Ashby's life and education started in Ogden, Utah as the youngest of four siblings to Mormon parents. Following his parents' divorce and father's subsequent remarriage, Ashby and his siblings moved with their mother, first to Logan, Utah and then to Portland, Oregon. His childhood was troubled, with his father committing suicide when he was 12. Despite dropping out of high school and enduring early divorces, Ashby pursued his creative passion in Los Angeles where began his journey as an assistant film editor. After garnering success and momentum in his career, he transitioned to directing and gained critical and commercial success. His life towards his later years was marred by rumors of drug dependency, causing a dip in his career. He eventually passed away from pancreatic cancer on December 27, 1988.