'On the Waterfront' director Kazan (94) dies

Hollywood director Elia Kazan has died at the age of 94 in his Manhattan home.

Hollywood director Elia Kazan has died at the age of 94 in his Manhattan home.

Kazan won Oscars for On the Waterfrontand Gentleman's AgreementHis other film credits include A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, A Streetcar Named Desire, East Of Eden, A Face In The Crowdand The Last Tycoon.

He also staged the original Broadway productions of Death Of A Salesmanand Streetcar.In his fifties he turned to writing and produced six novels - including several best-sellers - and an autobiography.

The made his first two novels, America, Americaand The Arrangement, into films. "Even when I was a boy I wanted to live three or four lives," Kazan once said.

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To some, Kazan diminished his stature when he went before the House Committee on Un-American Activities during the McCarthy era and named people he said had been members of the Communist Party with him in the mid-1930s.

He insisted years later that he bore no guilt as a result of what some saw as a betrayal. In early 1999, leaders of the motion picture academy announced it would give Kazan a special Academy Award for his life's work.

On awards night, some in the audience withheld applause, though others gave him a warm reception. Director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro presented the award.

PA