Orson Welles

1915 – 1985

George Orson Welles was an American actor, writer, and director regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. His 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast, mistaken by some listeners for a real Martian invasion, made him a national figure at age 23, and his 1941 directorial debut Citizen Kane is consistently ranked among the greatest films ever made. Subsequent work including The Magnificent Ambersons, Touch of Evil, Chimes at Midnight, and the unfinished The Other Side of the Wind extended his influence, even as Hollywood largely refused to fund his projects in his later years.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM