Jeannot Szwarc, a director known for his captivating time-travelling romantic fantasy film Somewhere in Time (1980),starring the renowned actors Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, both at the peak of their careers. Szwarc himself regarded Somewhere in Time and the spy thriller Enigma (1982) as his two most outstanding feature films.
Born in Paris, Szwarc spent his early years in Argentina before pursuing higher education in the United States, where he earned a Master's Degree in political science from Harvard University. After settling in Paris, he began working for a production company on documentaries and commercials, eventually advancing to the position of second unit director.
Upon his return to America in the early sixties, Szwarc worked as a freelance scriptwriter for several years before transitioning to directing prime-time television. He effortlessly adapted to various genres, yet consistently demonstrated a fondness for fantasy and science fiction.
Throughout his illustrious career, spanning over five decades, Szwarc amassed numerous credits for directing episodes of prominent TV shows, including Night Gallery (1969),Kojak (1973),JAG (1995),Without a Trace (2002),Heroes (2006),Smallville (2001),Fringe (2008),Supernatural (2005),and Bones (2005).
In addition to his television work, Szwarc occasionally ventured into filmmaking, though his big-screen endeavors were somewhat inconsistent in quality, featuring films such as Jaws 2 (1978),Bug (1975),and Supergirl (1984).
Jeannot Szwarc was married to production coordinator Cara de Menual. He passed away on January 15, 2025, at the age of 85.
