Cassavetes, John (1929-1989)

US director and actor. A hugely influential figure whose experimental, independently financed, low-budget work of the 1960s paralleled that of the French New Wave in its innovative break with the conventions of classical Hollywood film-making.

The founder of American independent cinema, Cassavetes ironically found funding for his films by acting in such mainstream, studio-financed fare as The Dirty Dozen (1967) and Rosemary's Baby (1968). His directorial credits include Shadows (1960), Faces (1968), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976), Opening Night (1977), and Gloria (1980).

Cassavetes was married to Gena Rowlands, who appeared in several of his films.