American filmmaker Blake Edwards is the grandson of director J. Gordon Edwards who directed such silent film epics as The Queen of Sheba. Blake began his career in films in 1943 with films such as Gangs of the Waterfront and Strangler of the Swamp. He also began writing radio scripts including those for the popular detective series Richard Diamond. He soon moved on to a job at Columbia as a staff producer and screenwriter working on such projects as Sound Off, Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder, and Cruisin' Down the River. In 1953, Blake was the… More associate producer for a TV series entitled City Detective.
Blake got his first chance to direct in 1955 with the movie Bring Your Smile Along. A move to Universal brought Blake his first true box office successes - Mister Corey starring Tony Curtis and Operation Petticoat starring Cary Grant.
In 1958-1959, Blake contributed to two television series - Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky - as producer, writer, and director. Following this, Blake went back to making movies for the big screen with his only foray into thrillers - Experiment in Terror in 1962 - and other box office smashes including Breakfast at Tiffany's and Days of Wine and Roses. Blake followed these up with two comedies - The Great Race and A Fine Mess and a string of successful Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers.
To close out the decade, Blake married film legend Julie Andrews and the two of them paired in a number of movies including Darling Lili, 10, S.O.B., Victor/Victoria, The Man Who Loved Women, and That's Life.
Blake continues to work in film and in 2004 gave a famous slapstick acceptance speech when he received an Honorary Academy Award.
Blake and his wife Julie have five children including his two children from a first marriage - Jennifer and Geoffrey - a step-daughter from Julie - Emma -, and two orphaned girls the couple adopted - Amy and Joanna.
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