Clarence Brown

Clarence Brown Profile Photo

Biography

Clarence Leon Brown (May 10, 1890 – August 17, 1987) was an American film director. After serving as a fighter pilot and flight instructor in the United States Army Air Service during World War I, Brown was given his first co-directing credit (with Tourneur) for The Great Redeemer (1920). Later that year, he directed a major portion of The Last of the Mohicans after Tourneur was injured in a fall. Brown moved to Universal in 1924, and then to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he remained until the mid-1950s. At MGM he was one of the main directors of their major female stars, he directed Joan Crawford six times and Greta Garbo seven. Brown was nominated five times for six films (see below) for an Academy Award as a director, but he never received an Oscar. However, he won Best Foreign Film for Anna Karenina, starring Garbo at the 1935 Venice International Film Festival. Brown's films gained a total of 38 Academy Award nominations and earned nine Oscars. Brown himself received five Academy Award nominations for six films and in 1949, he won the British Academy Award for the film version of William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust. In 1957, Brown was awarded The George Eastman Award, given by George Eastman House for distinguished contribution to the art of film. Brown retired a wealthy man due to his real estate investments, but refused to watch new movies, as he feared they might cause him to restart his career. The Clarence Brown Theater, on the campus of the University of Tennessee, is named in his honor. He holds the record for most nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director without a win, with six.

Career Overview

Clarence Brown has 92 screen credits in a career dating back to 1915. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently Angels in the Outfield with 1 titles. Signature works include Angels in the Outfield, National Velvet, Edison, the Man. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Directing
Gender
male
Known Credits
92
Birth Date
1890-05-10 00:00:00
Birth Place
Clinton, Massachusetts, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 2 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits