My favorite word is “potential”. I’m a huge fan of anyone who achieves everything possible in his/her life.Sydney Pollack passed away Monday. He was one of my idols, and the living embodiment of potential. Here are some highlights from his life:
- Though he was mostly known as a top director, he was also an accomplished actor, and always had a strong presence in films like Michael Clayton, Tootsie and Husbands and Wives. He also recurred as Will’s dad on “Will & Grace”
- Before directing Out Of Africa, he spent three years trying to perfect the script. The film won seven Oscars, including best director
- When his lifelong friend Robert Redford asked him to join the Sundance Institute, Sydney donated a lot of time, helping young filmmakers learn their trade
- When the Sundance Institute took over the U.S. (Sundance) Film Festival, it was Sydney’s idea to move the festival from September to January, knowing that running it during ski season would draw more attention
- He was the first filmmaker given permission to shoot inside the U.N. Building, for the film The Interpreter
- He was married to the same woman for 50 years
