Warren Beatty biography

The remake of 1941's Here Comes Mr. Jordan proved to be a hit both with critics and the public. Beatty picked up Academy Award nominations as an actor, director, producer and writer for the project. At the time, he was the second person to receive nominations in these four categories for one film, following in the footsteps of Orson Welles and his work on Citizen Kane (1941).

Later Career

A perfectionist about his work, Beatty has been known to shoot numerous takes of the same scene. He has a reputation for having a keen eye for details as well. His personality as a filmmaker is perhaps no more apparent than in one of his most ambitious works, the 1981 political epic Reds. In this lengthy, true-to-life film, Beatty starred as American journalist John Reed, who witnesses the rise of Communism in Russia in 1917 during the October Revolution and finds himself inspired by this new political movement. Along with Reed's love interest, political radical and journalist Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton), Reed tries to spread these ideals. It also featured vignettes from actual participants in the historic events detailed in the film.

Reds brought Beatty his one and only Academy Award win. In 1982, he took home the honor for Best Director. The remainder of the decade proved to be a disappointment for Beatty, however. He teamed up with Dustin Hoffman for the 1987 comedy Ishtar, which became one of the costly duds of its time. Modeled on the Bing Crosby-Bob Hope musical hits of the past, the film failed to find an audience.

Beatty turned to the funny papers for 1990's film adaptation of the popular comic strip Dick Tracy with Madonna and Al Pacino. The movie seemed to garner more attention for its soundtrack than its plot. Switching to the wrong side of the law, he earned much stronger reviews for his starring turn as gangster Bugsy Siegel in 1991's Bugsy. His future wife Annette Bening played his girlfriend Virginia Hill.

In 1998, Beatty returned to top form as a screenwriter and director with the political satire Bulworth. The film may not have been a box office hit, but it brought Beatty enormous critical acclaim. He played a senator who decides to actually tell the truth as he runs for reelection in the movie, which also features Halle Berry.

After his most recent film, 2001's Town & Country, came and went without much notice, Beatty stayed away from filmmaking for years. In 2011, reports circulated that he signed with Paramount Pictures for a new project. The Hollywood legend is set to write, direct, produce and star in this untitled effort. It's anyone's guess what kind of film it will be and what type of character he will portray. After more than 50 years in the business, Beatty has shown that he can tackle any genre and any role.

Personal Life

Since the beginning of his acting career, Beatty has been linked to numerous co-stars and other celebrities. Natalie Wood reportedly left her husband Robert Wagner for him.