Richard Lester: Movies & Box Office

Richard Lester Liebman, born January 19, 1932, is a retired American film director, widely famous for his unique comedic and campy style of movie making. He has made substantial contributions to both US and UK cinema. Known predominantly for directing the Beatles' films A Hard Day's Night (1964) and Help! (1965), and the superhero films Superman II (1980) and Superman III (1983), Lester's portfolio is diverse, intriguing, and widely appreciated. His other notable films as director include Petulia (1968), The Three Musketeers (1973) and its two sequels, and Robin and Marian (1976), among others.

Born to a Jewish family in Philadelphia, Lester was a child prodigy who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 15 with a degree in clinical psychology. He started working in television in 1950 as a music director, Assistant Director, and eventually a director by 1951. His film career kickstarted with The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (1959). By the late 1970s, he directed successful movies like The Three Musketeers (1973) and Superman II. Besides cinema, Lester also had a dominant presence in television, contributing notably to series like After Hours. Despite facing setbacks, his impressive repertoire enabled him to come back to filmmaking with films like Finders Keepers in 1984.