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Jul 30, 1939 - Jan 6, 2022 (82 years old)
Kingston
Male
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
United States of America
Screenwriter , Film director , Actor , Film Producer , Historian , Film critic , Television Director , Writer , Film Editor
Peter Bogdanovich was a renowned American filmmaker, producer, director, actor, writer, and critic who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death on January 6, 2022, at the age of 82. Starting his career as a film journalist, Peter transitioned to feature films in the 1960s. His debut film, "Targets," received critical acclaim, followed by "The Last Picture Show," which earned eight Academy Award nominations.
Throughout the 1970s, Bogdanovich directed hits like "What's Up, Doc?" and "Paper Moon," both acclaimed critically and commercially. However, three subsequent films flopped, leading to a temporary hiatus from directing. He returned with "Saint Jack" and "They All Laughed." Another break followed after his girlfriend's tragic murder in the 1980s, but he bounced back with the 1985 hit "Mask."
During the 1990s, he directed films like "The Thing Called Love" and "Noises Off." In the 2000s, Bogdanovich released "The Cat's Meow" and "She's Funny That Way," and directed the Tom Petty documentary "Runnin' Down a Dream." He also appeared in "The Sopranos." Outside of film, he published over ten books, influencing modern filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, and Wes Anderson.
Peter Bogdanovich was born on July 30, 1939, in Kingston, New York, into a family with Austrian Jewish and Serbian heritage. Raised by immigrant parents, Peter's father was a pianist and painter. He spoke Serbian before English. From a young age, Bogdanovich was deeply passionate about films, writing reviews of every movie he saw on index cards—a practice he maintained throughout his life.
After graduating from New York City's Collegiate School in 1957, Peter studied acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory. Before directing, he was a notable film critic, writing for publications such as "Esquire," "The Saturday Evening Post," and "Cahiers du Cinema."
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Bogdanovich's career took off after moving to Los Angeles. Emulating other critics from "Cahiers du Cinema," Peter aimed to become a director. He networked at Hollywood events, eventually meeting director Roger Corman, who offered him a directing job on "Targets." Peter credited this experience with substantial learning.
After "Targets," Peter returned to journalism, interviewing icons like Orson Welles, forming a lasting friendship. In 1970, he was commissioned to direct a documentary on John Ford, heavily influenced by Welles' films. This led to "The Last Picture Show."
In 1972, he directed the acclaimed "What's Up Doc?" and "Paper Moon." However, films like "Daisy Miller," "At Long Last," and "Nickelodeon" flopped critically and commercially. He later returned with the low-budget yet well-received "Saint Jack," though it didn't fare well financially.
In 1981, "They All Laughed" was released, but its failure coupled with personal tragedies shifted Peter towards writing. He won a Pulitzer Prize for a book about the murder of Playmate Dorothy Stratten, his girlfriend, and faced allegations implicating him and Hugh Hefner in her tragic end. After going bankrupt in 1985, he rebounded with the successful "Mask."
During the 1990s, he directed "Texasville," which failed, then "Illegally Yours," "Noises Off," and "The Thing Called Love." Struggling with financial woes, he declared bankruptcy again in 1997. In 2001, he returned with "The Cat's Meow," receiving some positive reviews but minimal box office impact. He ventured into acting and teaching, including a notable role in "The Sopranos" and directing an episode in its fifth season. His final major film was "She's Funny That Way."
Peter Bogdanovich passed away on January 6, 2022, from complications related to Parkinson's disease. He died at 82 in his Los Angeles home. His death was widely mourned, and many in the entertainment industry honored his legacy.
In 2005, Peter sold his Bel-Air home for $2.6 million. He had moved into the property in 1974.
