Orson Welles

Date of Birth: May 6, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 10, 1985

Biography

Orson Welles was a multifaceted American actor, director, writer, and producer, best known for his groundbreaking work in theater, radio, and film. Born George Orson Welles on May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he demonstrated prodigious talent from a young age. Welles first gained national attention with his innovative 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” which caused widespread panic due to its realistic broadcast style. Welles’ film career began with a bang when he directed, co-wrote, and starred in “Citizen Kane” (1941), a film often cited as one of the greatest of all time. Despite facing many challenges in Hollywood, Welles continued to create a variety of acclaimed films, including “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942), “Touch of Evil” (1958), and “Chimes at Midnight” (1965). Beyond film, Welles was a key figure in theater, founding the Mercury Theatre and producing notable stage productions such as an all-Black cast version of “Macbeth” and a modern-dress “Julius Caesar.” Welles’ work spanned continents and genres, making him a true Renaissance man of the 20th century arts.

5 Interesting Facts about Orson Welles

1. Orson Welles directed “Citizen Kane” at just 25 years old.

2. His 1938 radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” was so realistic that it caused a nationwide panic.

3. Welles was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 1971 for his contributions to film.

4. Despite his success, Welles often struggled with financing his projects and frequently clashed with Hollywood studios.

5. He was a magician and often incorporated magic tricks into his stage performances.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Orson Welles

1. “A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.”

2. “We’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we’re not alone.”

3. “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.”

4. “I started at the top and worked my way down.”

5. “If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Orson Welles’ net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Orson Welles had three daughters: 1. Christopher Welles Feder (with Virginia Nicolson) 2. Rebecca Welles Manning (with Rita Hayworth) 3. Beatrice Welles (with Paola Mori)