Motion Picture Director, Producer. A Five-time Academy Award nominee, he was born in Kansas City, Missouri. After he served as a bomber pilot during World War II, Altman made his way to California, determined to enter the film industry, first as an actor, then as a writer, finally, after a sporadic start, as a director. His directing began with industrial films, then he made the leap to mainstream movies with an exploitation film called "The Delinquents." Alfred Hitchcock gave him a chance on his television series, which lead to more TV work and eventually film. It wasn't until "M*A*S*H" (1970) that he made his mark in film. He later filmed "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" and the critically acclaimed "Nashville." He went on to direct "Popeye," "Tanner' 88," "Vincent and Theo," "The Player," "Short Cuts," "Gosford Park," and "A Prairie Home Companion." His movies were characterized by ad-libbed and overlapping conversation and large ensemble casts. He won a lifetime achievement Oscar in 2006.

Motion Picture Director, Producer. A Five-time Academy Award nominee, he was born in Kansas City, Missouri. After he served as a bomber pilot during World War II, Altman made his way to California, determined to enter the film industry, first as an actor, then as a writer, finally, after a sporadic start, as a director. His directing began with industrial films, then he made the leap to mainstream movies with an exploitation film called "The Delinquents." Alfred Hitchcock gave him a chance on his television series, which lead to more TV work and eventually film. It wasn't until "M*A*S*H" (1970) that he made his mark in film. He later filmed "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" and the critically acclaimed "Nashville." He went on to direct "Popeye," "Tanner' 88," "Vincent and Theo," "The Player," "Short Cuts," "Gosford Park," and "A Prairie Home Companion." His movies were characterized by ad-libbed and overlapping conversation and large ensemble casts. He won a lifetime achievement Oscar in 2006.

Bio by: JC