Cukor << KOO kuhr >>, George (1899-1983), was an American motion-picture director. He became noted for his ability to draw superior performances from many of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Cukor directed Greta Garbo in Camille (1937), Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story (1940), Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday (1950), and Judy Garland in A Star Is Born (1954). He won an Academy Award for directing My Fair Lady (1964). Cukor directed or co-directed about 50 films from 1930 to 1981.
Cukor was born on July 7, 1899, in New York City. He directed plays on Broadway before going to Hollywood in 1929. During the 1930’s, he made several films based on literary classics, including Little Women (1933) and David Copperfield (1935). Cukor also directed the popular comedies Adam’s Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952), both of which co-starred Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Cukor’s other films include A Bill of Divorcement (1932), Holiday (1938), The Women (1939), and Travels with My Aunt (1972). He died on Jan. 24, 1983.
