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John Sayles

Directing

Born September 28, 1950 · Schenectady, New York, USA

Also known as John Thomas Sayles

Biography

John Thomas Sayles (born September 28, 1950) is an American independent film director, screenwriter, editor, actor, and novelist.

Awards & recognition

  • Phyllis Franklin Award · 2013
  • Eugene V. Debs Award · 1991
  • Edgar Awards · 1990
  • MacArthur Fellows Program · 1983
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Original Screenplay · 1997 · nominated
Show all 6 awards →
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Original Screenplay · 1993 · nominated

Filmography46 titles

The Story of Film: An Odyssey

2011as Self

Malcolm X

1992as FBI Agent

Poker Face

2023as Chief Hal

The Alienist

2018Consulting Producer, Teleplay

Baseball

1994as Self

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel

2011as Self - Filmmaker

Lone Star

1996Director, Editor, Writer

Passion Fish

1992as Soap Opera Doctor (uncredited)

Casting By

2012as Self

Eight Men Out

1988as Ring Lardner

City of Hope

1991as Carl

The Spiderwick Chronicles

2008Screenplay

The Secret of Roan Inish

1994Director, Editor, Screenplay

Matinee

1993as Bob

The Brother from Another Planet

1984as Man in Black

Limbo

1999Director, Editor, Writer

Gridlock'd

1997as Cop #1

Something Wild

1986as Motorcycle Cop

The Howling

1981as Morgue Attendant (uncredited)

Girlfight

2000as Science Teacher

Return of the Secaucus Seven

1979as Howie

Time Warp Vol. 2: Horror and Sci-Fi

2020as Self

Sunshine State

2002as Man who almost got hit by a golf ball (uncredited)

Lianna

1983as Jerry

In the Electric Mist

2009as Michael Goldman

Silver City

2004Director, Editor, Writer

Mimic

1997Additional Writing

Alligator

1980Screenplay, Story

Algren

2021as Self

Straight Talk

1992as Guy Girardi

Baby It's You

1983Director, Screenplay

Piranha

1978as Army Sentry (uncredited)

Honeydripper

2007as Zeke

The Challenge

1982Writer

Wild Thing

1987Screenplay, Story

The Lady in Red

1979Writer

Casa de los Babys

2003Director, Editor, Writer

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot

2018Executive Producer

Battle Beyond the Stars

1980Screenplay, Story

The Clan of the Cave Bear

1986Screenplay

Men of War

1994Screenplay

Little Saints

1999Executive Producer

Piranha

1995Story

The Gray House

2024Writer

Texas Red

2021as Governor Johnson (voice)

Howard Zinn: Voices of a People's History of the United States

2006as Self