Elia Kazan was born on September 7, 1909 in Istanbul, Turkey. His family immigrated to the United States when he was just four years old, settling in New York City. Kazan attended Williams College, where he waited tables and washed dishes to afford his education. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for theater and decided to pursue a career in the arts.
After graduating from Williams College, Kazan moved to Greenwich Village in New York City and began studying at the Group Theatre. He quickly made a name for himself as a talented actor and director, and in 1947, he co-founded The Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg. This innovative new approach to acting, known as method acting, revolutionized the industry and brought Kazan to the forefront of American theater.
Kazan's big break came when he was chosen to direct the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire," in 1951. The film was a huge critical and commercial success, earning Kazan his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director. He followed this up with another hit, "On the Waterfront," in 1954, which won him his first Oscar for Best Director.
Throughout his career, Kazan was known for his ability to bring out the best in his actors and create deeply emotional performances. He often cast unknown actors in leading roles, giving them the opportunity to shine on the big screen. Some of the most notable actors he worked with include Warren Beatty and James Dean.