- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Is on record in saying that he thinks the 1969 moon landings were faked.
- 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..
- President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in 2012.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content