Anecdotes

Most of his work in theatre and film is done without any initial script. He and the actors improvise their characters and the scenes under his overall control.

When actors audition for him, he asks them to sit at a table while he observes.

Has directed 3 actresses in Oscar-nominated performances: Brenda Blethyn, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Imelda Staunton.

His top 10 films of all time are: L'arbre aux sabots (1978), Voyage à Tokyo (1953), Soy Cuba (1964), Les quatre cents coups (1959), Moartea domnului Lazarescu (2005), Chansons du deuxième étage (2000), Certains l'aiment chaud (1959), Radio Days (1987), Seven Chances (1925) and How a Mosquito Operates (1912).

Chairman of the London Film School.

He was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1993 Queen's Honours List for his services to the film industry.

His family were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe (including Russia).

Father was a doctor.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 50th Cannes International Film Festival in 1997.

He was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and television culture.

Mother was a midwife.

Parents met in 1936 in Manchester.

Became a father for the 1st time at age 34 when his [now ex] wife Alison Steadman gave birth to their son Toby Leigh on February 3, 1978.

Became a father for the 2nd time at age 38 when his [now ex] wife Alison Steadman gave birth to their son Leo Leigh on August 15, 1981.

Has had a beard since March 1967 because he considers shaving "a time-wasting, filthy, irrelevant and resource-wasting habit".

Graduated from RADA.

Is on record in saying that he thinks the 1969 moon landings were faked.

His play, "Abigail's Party", performed at the New Ambassador's Theatre, was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Revival of 2002.

Became an Associate Member of RADA.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in 2012.

He has directed one film that has been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Secrets et mensonges (1996).

Interviewed in "World Directors in Dialogue" by Bert Cardullo (Scarecrow Press, 2011).

His production company is Thin Man Films, founded with the late Simon Channing Williams in 1989, which was a misnomer considering their build and it is still the same now as his new partner is Georgina Lowe..