Samuel Fuller

Samuel Michael Fuller (August 12, 1912 – October 30, 1997) was a distinguished American screenwriter, author, and film director, recognized for his impactful low-budget genre films often addressing provocative themes.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Fuller was the son of Benjamin Rabinovitch, a Jewish immigrant from Russia, and Rebecca Baum, a Jewish immigrant from Poland. After arriving in the United States, the family's surname was altered from Rabinovitch to "Fuller," possibly inspired by a doctor who came to America on the Mayflower. At just 12 years old, Fuller began his career in journalism as a copyboy. By 17, he had become a crime reporter for the New York Evening Graphic, where he famously broke the story on the death of actress Jeanne Eagels. Throughout the mid-1930s, he wrote both pulp novels and screenplays, often taking on ghostwriting projects while keeping his contributions under wraps, stating, “that's what a ghost writer is for.”

During World War II, Fuller enlisted in the United States Army infantry, serving with the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division and witnessing intense combat in various theaters, including Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. He was a participant in the liberation of the Falkenau concentration camp and captured footage later featured in the documentary Falkenau: The Impossible. For his valor, he earned several honors, including the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. Fuller's experiences greatly influenced his filmmaking, particularly in his notable work The Big Red One (1980).

After his contentious film "White Dog" was suppressed by Paramount Pictures, he relocated to France and did not direct another film in the U.S. until his return later in life. Fuller passed away from natural causes at his home in California. In November 1997, the Directors Guild held a three-hour tribute in his memory, with Curtis Hanson, a close friend and collaborator on