Biography
Gene Saks was an American director and actor. Born Jean Michael Saks in New York City on 8 November 1921, he began his career as a performer on Broadway in 1949 and appeared in the original stage production of A Thousand Clowns (1962). He reprised the role of Leo Herman in the 1965 film adaptation.
Saks became best known as a stage and film director, particularly for his long association with playwright Neil Simon. He directed the film versions of Barefoot in the Park (1967), The Odd Couple (1968), Cactus Flower (1969) and Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986). On Broadway he won three Tony Awards for direction, for I Love My Wife, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Biloxi Blues. He died in East Hampton, New York, on 28 March 2015.
