An acclaimed theatrical director at the start of his career, George Cukor became one of the true "greats" of the cinema, who was often underrated director during his prime. Due to his homosexuality, he's was labeled a "woman's director" most of his life. The truth of the matter his was a director who brought greatness to his craft. He often was more worried about the performances in his films rather than style.
Cukor made his directional debut in "Grumpy" (1930), and was given his first solo shot as a director with "Tarnished Lady" in 1931, followed shortly by
… More the drama "A Bill of Divorcement" in 1932. "A Bill of Divorcement" became the first of ten movies he would direct that starred someone who became a life long friend, Katherine Hepburn. Cukor went on to help launch the careers of Cary Grant, Jack Lemmon, Angela Lansbury and Anthony Perkins. Many of his stars went on to receive Oscar nominations for their roles in his movies.
Being a homosexual did cost dearly at least once in his professional life, only 10 days after the start of production on "Gone With The Wind", Clark Gable complained Cukor was a "woman's director" and he was fired. However, Cukor may have been fired not for clashing with Gable, but rather with producer David O. Selznick over the script.
Cukor also did work on another c film of 1939, "The Wizard of Oz". Although he directed no actual film footage, he made several behind-the-scenes adjustments. George remained very active every decade after he made his Hollywood debut until finally, after four previous nominations, he won his own Best Director Oscar for "My Fair Lady".
After the Oscar George slowed down, making only 6 more movies. One of those, "Love Among the Ruins", earned him an Emmy for Best Director. He completed his final film, "Rich and Famous", at age of 82.
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