Stephen Frears

Known for his mordant sense of humor, he became a leading director of the 1980s with a string of critical successes including My Beautiful Launderette (1985), Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987), and Prick Up Your Ears (1987). Following a move to Hollywood, he made Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and The Grifters (1990), for which he received a Best Director nomination from the Academy. His most recent ventures, including Mary Reilly (1996) and The Van(1996), are largely regarded as critical and box office disappointments, respectively.