Paul Mazursky aka Irwin Mazursky

Director, screenwriter, producer, actor, comedy writer, and comedian -- via the L.A. Times. Nominated for an Oscar five times, he is one of the key directors of the Silver Age of American cinema. Although he is not remembered as well as the heavy hitters, he is my personal favorite. I loved this man.

He was in Kubrick's first film, "Fear and Desire."

He played a punk in "The Blackboard Jungle."

He sold comedy sketches in the early days of TV, did standup, was in a duo with Herb Hartig called Igor & h that appeared on Steve Allen's show.

He wrote for "The Danny Kaye Show." He co-wrote the pilot of "The Monkees." He wrote "I Love You, Alice B. Toklas,"



which gave him a shot to direct. He made "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," and his career was made.



The films he made were my no means perfect, but somehow they touched me more deeply than many others. I loved "Alex in Wonderland,"



"Blume in Love,"



 "Harry & Tonto,"



 "Next Stop, Greenwich Village,"



"Tempest,"



 "Moon over Parador,"



"Enemies: A Love Story."



Hell, I even loved "The Pickle." (I didn't like "An Unmarried Woman" or "Moscow on the Hudson" or "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." In fact, they made me mad. Which means I really do love him.)



Read his memoir "Show Me the Magic" -- it's hilarious and wise.



I came out of nearly every film of his grinning and punching at the sky in delight. Somehow he just was able to get inside all of his characters. Like the great French directors he admired so much, he knew that everyone has his reasons, and could not fail to give a rounded portrait of even the most unlikable characters -- or the shadow side of even his nicest heroes. Above all, he was FUNNY. I am very very lucky to have grown up with him, and I hope to God I can write as well as him someday. Thank you, Paul.