A creator of great work, Academy Award-winning director Sidney Lumet (1924-2011) was born on this day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began directing television and made his feature film debut with 1957's highly-acclaimed 12 Angry Men.

"The old rules still apply," Lumet observed. "It's a jungle out there."

With a career of over 40 films that included such masterpieces as Dog Day Afternoon (w/Al Pacino, 1975), Network (1976), and The Verdict (w/Paul Newman, 1982), the brilliant director made intelligent films, driven by stellar acting performances. Actors want to work with him.

"Whatever my limitations are - intellectually and emotionally - if I'm any good, they'll turn out to be my strengths," Lumet said in his memoir Making Movies (1996).

A master of the first take, most of his films were shot in New York City and celebrated relevant social, ethical, and feminist issues. He was an enduring advocate for creativity and responsible filmmaking.

Awarded the 2005 honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement, the auteur of extraordinarily complex, subtle masterpieces described his job as director as "the best in the world."

More Film-Making Quotations

Look for the blessings in simple things.