Austrian-born Billy Wilder may of been the best screenwriter of all time. Consider the following: DOUBLE INDEMNITY, THE LOST WEEKEND, SOME LIKE IT HOT, SABRINA, THE APARTMENT, ACE IN THE HOLE, SUNSET BOULEVARD, all classic and all written or co-written by Wilder.

Of Jewish descent he was still in Europe in the late 1920s when Hitler rose to power and left for Hollywood. He became a U.S. citizen in 1934. He was one of the first true Author-Auteurs. He became the first filmmaker to win three Academy Awards in a year for the film THE APARTMENT -- which won for best director, best screenplay and best picture. He also produced many of his own films as well. He received 20 Academy Award nominations and won six Oscars during his career.

After suffering from pneumonia he passed away of complications at the age of 95 after battling health problems for years. As a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, artist and journalist, his career spanned more than 50 years and 60 films.