Frank R. Pierson
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Image:Frank pierson.jpgFrank R. Pierson (born 12 May 1925) is an American screenwriter and film director.
Born in Chappaqua, New York, Pierson attended Harvard. He got his break in Hollywood when he penned a script for the television series Naked City in 1958. He went on to write or co-write several notable films, including the breakout Cat Ballou. He helped write Cool Hand Luke and Dog Day Afternoon, which were both nominated for Academy Awards, the latter of which won Pierson his only Oscar statuette. A Star Is Born, which he directed and which he also contributed to the screenplay, led to an Oscar win for Best Original Song. Pierson has directed several notable films produced for television, including Citizen Cohn, Conspiracy, and Somebody Has To Shoot the Picture. His direction on Truman and Soldier's Girl both garnered Peabody Awards.
He was President of the Writers Guild of America, West from 1981—1983 and again from 1993—1995 and was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) from 2001- 2005. He is also currently a member of the teaching staff of Sundance Institute and is Artistic Director of the American Film Institute.