John Nicholas Cassavetes (/ˌkæsəˈvɛtiːz/; December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was a Greek-American actor, film director, and screenwriter. Cassavetes was a pioneer of American independent film, writing and directing over a dozen movies, which he partially self-financed, and pioneered the use of improvisation and a cinéma vérité style. He also acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Dirty Dozen (1967). He studied acting with Don Richardson, utilizing an alternative technique to method acting which privileged character over traditional narrative.[3][4] His income from acting made it possible for him to direct his own films independently.
Also known as
Film Director, Screenwriter, Actor, Film Producer, Writer, Character Actor, Film Editor, Author, Television Actor
