Norman Jewison was a renowned filmmaker, recognized globally for his impressive body of work, which includes some of the most iconic, captivating, and socially significant films in cinematic history. His productions tackled complex and controversial subjects, rendering them accessible to a universal audience. Jewison's notable films include the satirical comedy The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, the original Thomas Crown Affair, the groundbreaking drama In the Heat of the Night, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the pioneering rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, the cult classic Rollerball, the musical comedy-drama Fiddler on the Roof, the romantic comedy Moonstruck, the courtroom drama...And Justice For All, the military drama A Soldier's Story, the labor movement film F.I.S.T., the war dramas The Statement and In Country, and the masterfully told story of Reuben 'Hurricane' Carter, The Hurricane, among many others.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jewison received numerous accolades, including four Oscar nominations and three Emmy Awards. His films garnered an impressive 46 nominations and won 12 Academy Awards. In 1999, he was honored with the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the Academy Awards.
In Canada, Jewison's contributions to the film industry were recognized with the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, and he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, an Officer of the Order of Ontario, and a Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honor. In 2010, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America.
Jewison was dedicated to advancing the art of storytelling and filmmaking, both through his groundbreaking films and through the establishment of the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) in 1986. The CFC, which opened its doors in Toronto in 1988, is a charitable cultural organization that drives the future of Canadian storytelling.
