Billy Wilder

Born: June 22, 1906
Where: Sucha Beskidzka, Poland
Died: 27th March, 2002

Born Samuel Wilder the young man was nicknamed Billy by his mother, who loved everything American.

In keeping with his father's wishes that he become a lawyer, Billy enrolled at the University of Vienna but soon dropped out to become a newspaper reporter.

A move to Berlin 1926 helped Billy on his way to a showbiz career. He became a paid 'tea-time dancer' and spent his time entertaining lonely ladies.

It wasn't long before the press called on him again and Billy was soon churning out news stories for magazines.

It was at this stage in his life that his love for film was nurtured.

He began writing title cards for silent films but, when the Nazi Party rose to power in 1933, Billy - who was Jewish - realised the future was bleak in Europe and fled to America.

He was desperate to get his family out of Germany but they refused and many of his relatives, including his mother and grandmother, died in the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.

Billy, one of many German-Jewish refugees who came to Hollywood in the 1930s, soon established himself as a writer. His first job was with Paramount Studios, and Billy was soon known for his witty, sparkling dialogue.

It was in the 1930s that Billy's career reached an early peak. He received three Academy Award nominations for his script for Ninotchka, Ball of Fire and Hold Back The Dawn.

Billy went on to direct all the scripts which he wrote and became one of Hollywood¿s most successful and best loved players.

He worked twice with one of Hollywood's most talented but difficult and actresses, Marilyn Monroe, in Some Like It Hot and 1955's The Seven Year Itch.

But Billy said he would never work with Monroe again after a scene during Some Like It Hot took more than 60 takes to get right.

Monroe was supposed to burst into the room shared by Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis and rummage through a dresser looking for a drink. Her one line was: "Where's that bourbon?"

Monroe couldn't get her line right and, in desperation, Billy had the words pasted into every drawer she opened.

After 60 takes Billy reportedly told her, "Don't worry, we'll get it," to which a confused Monroe replied, "Get what?"

Afterwards Billy said: "I have discussed this with my doctor and my psychiatrist and my accountant, and they tell me I am too old and too rich to go through this again."