Robert Zemeckis

Robert Lee Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an acclaimed American filmmaker known for directing and producing several successful and influential movies, often blending cutting-edge visual effects with influential storytelling. His illustrious career includes directing iconic comedy films like 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' (1978), 'Used Cars' (1980), and 'Romancing the Stone' (1984). Zemeckis gained significant prominence with the science-fiction comedy 'Back to the Future' trilogy (1985–1990), the fantasy comedy 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988), and the unique comedy-drama 'Forrest Gump' (1994) which won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

Continuing his successful career, Zemeckis directed films like 'Death Becomes Her' (1992), 'Contact' (1997), 'Cast Away' (2000), 'Flight' (2012), 'The Walk' (2015), and 'Allied' (2016). Visual effects and performance capture techniques feature heavily in his animated films 'The Polar Express' (2004) and 'A Christmas Carol' (2009), as well as the action fantasy drama 'Beowulf' (2007), and the drama 'Welcome to Marwen' (2018). Throughout his career, Zemeckis has closely worked with film composer Alan Silvestri since 1984 and directed Tom Hanks in five films. Private life was often sacrificed in favor of Zemeckis' career, and he opines that he paid for his Academy Award-winning success with the relentless work of his twenties.