William A. Wellman: Movies & Box Office

William Augustus Wellman, known popularly as 'Wild Bill', was a significant figure in Hollywood's Golden Age, born on February 29, 1896. With several successful films under his belt, Wellman's career spanned many genres from crime and adventure to action, especially focusing on aviation themes. Some of his greatest contributions to film involved directing the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture, Wings, in 1927. Also a notable screenwriter, producer, and actor, he thrived in various roles in the film industry, his first tryst with Hollywood's lights being with acting. Later, he worked his way up the ladder in direction and finally graduated to directorial roles, accumulating directing credits in over 80 films. He also received four Academy Award nominations and bagged the Best Original Story award for 'A Star is Born'. He was acknowledged with the Directors Guild of America's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1973. In his early years, Wellman was known for his valorous service as a combat pilot for Lafayette Flying Corps of the French Air Force during World War I. He notably earned a Croix de Guerre with two palms for valorous action.