Miloš Forman

Jan Tomáš "Miloš" Forman (February 18, 1932 – April 13, 2018) was a celebrated Czech-American filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and educator who gained prominence in Czechoslovakia before relocating to the United States in 1968.

A pivotal figure in the Czechoslovak New Wave, Forman's 1967 film *The Firemen's Ball* offered a sharp critique of Eastern European Communism, earning recognition during the relatively liberal Prague Spring. However, following the 1968 invasion by Warsaw Pact forces, the film was banned, prompting Forman's emigration to the U.S. There, he achieved significant acclaim, particularly with *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1975), which starred Jack Nicholson. This landmark film made history by winning all five major Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

In 1978, Forman directed the musical *Hair*, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 1979. He followed this with the epic drama *Ragtime* (1981), notable for its ensemble cast and multiple Academy Award nominations. His most acclaimed work, *Amadeus* (1984), chronicled the life of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, garnering 11 nominations and winning 8 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Forman. He later received another Best Director nomination for *The People vs. Larry Flynt* (1996).

Forman's illustrious career was marked by two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, the Grand Prix at Cannes, the Golden Bear in Berlin, and numerous other accolades, including the Czech Lion and a César Award.