Since the news of his passing yesterday Paul Mazursky has been described as a director for the most part. Indeed, he directed such films as AN UNMARRIED WOMAN and BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE, among many others. But as far as SU is concerned, Mazursky was a screenwriter first and foremost. He was nominated for four Academy Awards as a screenwriter -- Best Original Screenplay three times, and Best Adapted Screenplay once. He was also nominated for Best Picture for AN UNMARRIED WOMAN  (1978). Other films written and directed by Mazursky include HARRY AND TONTO (1974), MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON (1984), DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS (1986), and  SCENES FROM A MALL (1991).  He was also an actor  in such TV series as "The Sopranos," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Once and Again." In all Mazursky racked up five Oscar nominations and was best known for realist comedy that expressed modern themes.

He was born Irwin Mazursky in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Jean Gerson, a dancer and piano player and David Mazursky, a laborer. Mazursky's grandfather was an immigrant from Ukraine. Mazursky graduated from Brooklyn College in 1951. He is survived by a daughter Meg Mazursky, and his wife Betsy Mazursky whom he married in 1953.

More on Mazursky:

1. FilmComment Interview
2. Video Interview CNN