Frank R. Pierson (born 12 May 1925) is an American screenwriter and film director.
Born in Chappaqua, New York, Pierson attended Harvard. He got his break in Hollywood when he penned a script for the television series Naked City in 1958. He went on to write or co-write several notable films, including the Cat Ballou.
He helped write Cool Hand Luke and Dog Day Afternoon, which were both nominated for Academy Awards, the latter of which won Pierson his only Oscar statuette. A Star Is Born, which he directed and which he also contributed to the screenplay.
Pierson has directed several notable films produced for television, including Citizen Cohn, Conspiracy, and Somebody Has To Shoot the Picture. His direction on Truman and Soldier's Girl both garnered Peabody Awards.
He was President of the Writers Guild of America, west from 1981—1983 and again from 1993—1995 and was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) from 2001-2005. He is also currently a member of the teaching staff of Sundance Institute and is Artistic Director of the American Film Institute.
(1981-1983) President of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAw)
(1993-1995) President of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAw)
(August 2001 - August 2005) President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
He started out in advertising. He saved enough money to quit advertising for several months while he wrote and tried to sell his scripts. Just as he was beginning to interview with the ad agencies to resume his career, one of his stories sold. He has been a professional screenwriter since.
Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Writers Branch) [-2006 & 2007-].
Famously authored a first-person account, published in both New York and New West magazines before the film's release, of the endless trials and tribulations of directing Barbra Streisand. He portrayed her as egocentric, manipulative and a total control freak. Needless to say, they never worked together again.
