Milos Forman

Date of Birth: February 18, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: April 13, 2018

Biography

Milos Forman, born Jan Tomáš Forman, was a Czech-American film director, screenwriter, and professor who gained international acclaim for his work in the film industry. Born on February 18, 1932, in Čáslav, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Forman lost both of his parents during the Holocaust. He studied at the Film Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and became part of the Czech New Wave, a movement characterized by its innovative and often politically charged films. Forman emigrated to the United States in the late 1960s after the Prague Spring. In the U.S., he directed several influential films, including “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), which won five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. He also directed “Amadeus” (1984), a film about the life of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which garnered eight Academy Awards. Forman’s other notable works include “Hair” (1979), “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (1996), and “Man on the Moon” (1999). Forman was known for his ability to craft compelling narratives that explored the human condition, often focusing on themes of individuality and rebellion against oppressive systems. He passed away on April 13, 2018, in Danbury, Connecticut, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic masterpieces that continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Milos Forman

1. Milos Forman won two Academy Awards for Best Director for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus.”

2. He fled Czechoslovakia after the Soviet invasion in 1968, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1977.

3. Forman’s parents died in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

4. He was a professor of film studies at the Columbia University School of the Arts.

5. Forman’s film “The People vs. Larry Flynt” was controversial but received critical acclaim for its defense of free speech.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Milos Forman

1. “When you’re making a film, you should never think about what the audience will think, you should only care about what you think.”

2. “You cannot have a masterpiece without madness.”

3. “Movies were my religion. They were my faith. They were my escape from reality.”

4. “Humor was a shield, a weapon, a survival kit.”

5. “In America, everything is possible, but not guaranteed.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Milos Forman’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Milos Forman had four children. He had twin sons, Petr and Matej, with his first wife, actress Jana Brejchová. He also had another set of twin sons, Andrew and James, with his third wife, Martina Zborilova.