The directors: No 6: William Wyler

In some circles William Wyler is regarded as the best-ever movie director. He was certainly one of the most prolific. In a career spanning over 50 years he made many more films than any of his contemporaries. But, whereas fellow directors like John Ford and Frank Capra had styles that were all their own, Mr Wyler avoided this trait and never formulated his own particular trademark movie.

William Wyler was born Willy Weiller to a Jewish family on July 1, 1902, in Mülhausen, Alsace-Lorraine.

After being educated in Lausanne, he joined his father's drapery business. His career in haberdashery was short-lived for within a year or so his mother managed to get him work in the US with her cousin, who just happened to be head of Universal Pictures.

After several menial jobs in the embryonic film industry Mr Wyler graduated to directing two-reeler westerns - after changing his name to William Wyler. He took US citizenship in 1928 and went on to become one of Universal's biggest assets, directing a number of successful silent movies and later talkies. As a director he was one of the few to make a seamless transition from silent to sound.

During the 1930s he made countless features for a number of studios, enjoying an excellent relationship with the often spiky Sam Goldwyn. Mr Wyler won his first Oscar in 1942 for the unashamedly patriotic and jingoistic Mrs Miniver. He went on to win three further Academy Awards for The Best Years Of Our Lives in 1946 and Ben-Hur in 1959. He was also awarded the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award in 1965 for his services to cinema.

Mr Wyler was married twice, firstly in 1934 for a brief period to the actress Margaret Sullavan, then in 1938 to starlet Margaret Tallichet, who he pre-deceased.

Apart from his Oscar winners, the director was responsible for such notable hits as the war documentary Memphis Belle, Little Foxes (with his long-time collaborator, writer Lillian Hellman), The Big Country, The Heiress, Funny Girl, Jezebel, Wuthering Heights, Roman Holiday and Friendly Persuasion.

Mr Wyler died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles in 1981, aged 79.