Elia biography

American film and theatre director (1909–2003)

Elias Kazantzoglou (Greek: Ηλίας Καζαντζόγλου, IPA:[iˈli.askazanˈdzoɣlu]; September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003), known as Elia Kazan (EE-lee-ə kə-ZAN),^[1][2][a] was a Greek-American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter and actor, described by The New York Times as "one of the most honored and influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history".^[4]

Born in Constantinople (now Istanbul) to Cappadocian Greek parents, his family came to the United States in 1913.

Elia biography

After attending Williams College and then the Yale School of Drama, he acted professionally for eight years, later joining the Group Theatre in 1932, and co-founded the Actors Studio in 1947. With Robert Lewis and Cheryl Crawford, his actors' studio introduced "Method Acting" under the direction of Lee Strasberg.

Kazan acted in a few films, including City for Conquest (1940).^[5]