Gill Dennis (January 25, 1941 – May 13, 2015) was an American director and screenwriter.[2][3]

Gill Dennis
Born
James Gill Dennis[1]

(1941-01-25)January 25, 1941
DiedMay 13, 2015(2015-05-13) (aged 74)
EducationReed College
American Film Institute (MFA)
Occupation(s)Director, producer, screenwriter, actor
Years active1973–2015
Spouses
(m. 1968; div. 1984)
  • Kristen Peckinpah Dennis
Children2

Early life and career

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Dennis was the son of psychologist Wayne Dennis, author of "The Hopi Child."[1] He attended Reed College for two years and served in Korea in the U.S. Army.[3] In 1971, he graduated from AFI Conservatory’s first class that began in 1969 and included Tom Rickman, Terrence Malick, David Lynch, and Caleb Deschanel. He later taught there as a master filmmaker-in-residence and conducted classes world-wide.[3][4][5] He and Tom Rickman started and directed the Community of Writers Screenwriting Program. He was the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Direction in Theatre.[6]

Personal life and death

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His first wife was actress Elizabeth Hartman, whom he divorced in 1984. He died in Portland, Oregon, and was survived by his wife, Kristen Peckinpah Dennis, and two sons.

Filmography

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Director
  • Intermission (1973)
  • Balaam (1975 ‧ Play ‧ World premiere)
  • Without Evidence (1995)
Writer

References

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  1. ^ a b "Dr. Wayne Dennis, 70, a Psychologist". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  2. ^ Barnes, Mike (May 15, 2015). "Gill Dennis, Screenwriter on 'Walk the Line,' Dies at 74".
  3. ^ a b c Oregonian/OregonLive, Jeff Baker (May 16, 2015). "Gill Dennis, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, dies in Portland". oregonlive.
  4. ^ "Gill Dennis, 'Walk the Line' Screenwriter, Dies at 74". Variety. May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  5. ^ "Gill Dennis Screenwriter-in-Residence 2011". ifta.ie. Irish Film & Television Academy. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Gill Dennis (1941-2015)". communityofwriters.org. Community of Writers. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Gill Dennis". watch.afi.com. American Film Institute. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  8. ^ Dennis, Gill. "Gill Dennis: "Unchained"". poetrynw.org. Poetry Northwest. Retrieved 11 February 2024.

Notes

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  1. ^ Dennis wrote a 1985 storybook for this film - ‘’Return to Oz Storybook’’ published by Walt Disney Company ISBN 9780307158314, ISBN 0307158314
  2. ^ Dennis wrote an essay regarding his time with Johnny Cash in preparing the script for Walk the Line.[8]
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