Mankiewicz, Joseph L

Mankiewicz, Joseph L(eo)

(born Feb. 11, 1909, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., U.S.—died Feb. 5, 1993, Mount Kisco, N.Y.) U.S. film director, producer, and screenwriter. He wrote scripts for Paramount from 1929 and later produced movies such as The Philadelphia Story (1940) and Woman of the Year (1942). Known for his witty, urbane dialogue and memorable characters, he wrote and directed films such as A Letter to Three Wives (1949, Academy Awards for best director and screenplay), All About Eve (1950, Academy Awards for best picture, director, and screenplay), and The Barefoot Contessa (1954), and directed Julius Caesar (1953), Suddenly Last Summer (1959), and the disastrously expensive Cleopatra (1963). His older brother, Herman (1897–1953), was a screenwriter and a famous wit, best remembered as the principal author of Citizen Kane (1941, Academy Award).