Biography for
Michael Winner (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Mini Biography

Michael Winner was interested in film at an early age, especially writing, which brought him briefly to television. He then moved into directing at age 25, and after a few comedies and vehicles for pop stars, quickly switched to more dramatic films, attaining something of a trade mark for violence - frequently working with Charles Bronson.

More recently he has become better known for his TV appearances and especially commercials in which he often sends himself up. He has written an often controversial column on restaurants for The Sunday Times for many years.

Trivia

An outspoken supporter of the Conservatives for many years, he switched his political allegiance to Tony Blair's Labour Party in the 1997 UK General Election.

Is a restaurant critic and has guested in a television commercial for Kenko instant coffee in which he was spoofing himself.

Often edits his own films under a different name 'Arnold Crust'.

Often used Charles Bronson.

Often used Michael Crawford.

Often used Oliver Reed.

He was offered the opportunity to direct The French Connection (1971) and the remake of King Kong (1976), both of which he turned down.

Employs Dinah May and Joanna Kanska as receptionists.

He allegedly declined the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2006 for his services to film.

Tends to get his films done on time and under budget.

Was one time going to direct "Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection" (1990), but star Chuck Norris didn't like the script.

His favorite actor is Marlon Brando, who was also a friend.

In Dec. 2006, while vacationing at Barbados, he suffered a near-fatal illness from the extremely rare vibrio vulnificus virus, caught when he ate an oyster. After spending 5 days at the local hospital, his friend Philip Green chartered an ambulance plane to fly the director to London. He spent 3 months in the hospital where he ultimately went through 19 operations to save his leg. The virus destroyed his Achilles tendon and he now has to walk with a walking stick.

January 2008 - Engaged to Geraldine Lynton-Edwards.

Personal Quotes

I don't want to live in a tolerant society. I want to live in a very intolerant society.

Women like to be treasured for themselves. They don't get taken in by men with money. In fact, I did far better when I was an assistant director.

My sympathy is totally with the little old lady who gets bashed over the head with an iron bar, not with the youngster who did it and gets sent to the South of France for six weeks to turn into a lovely human being.

On late actor-comedian Terry-Thomas: "For years, in the English film business, if you wanted a Terry-Thomas-type comedian, you were lucky if you got Terry-Thomas himself.".

A team effort is a lot of people doing what I say.

Success has gone to my stomach.

In this business disaster is always just around the corner.

The hardest part of directing is staying awake for nine weeks at a stretch.

There's no moralistic side to Death Wish; it's a pleasant romp.

Hitchcock said actors are cattle, but show me a cow who can earn one million dollars per film.

If you want art, don't mess about with movies. Buy a Picasso.

An OBE is what you get if you clean the toilets well at King's Cross station. I really don't care if I get anything or not. I'm very glad that they recognize my considerable skills as a toilet cleaner. But when you look at the rubbish who are getting these awards and the absolute non-service they have given to the nation other than financing or working for political parties, you say, 'What company am I in?' At least if you go straight to the House of Lords you can wear fancy dress and have a giggle.

Nearly dying hasn't taught me a thing. It's just taught me that being ill is a bloody pain!

Where Are They Now

(2003) Appearing in a series of adverts for a UK car insurance firm while dressed as a fairy godmother.

(May 2005) Still continuing with eSure.co.uk adverts.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z