Michael Deeley is a renowned Oscar-winning film producer with a career spanning over six decades. He has produced more than 20 films, including iconic classics such as The Italian Job, The Deer Hunter, and Blade Runner.
Born in London in 1932, Deeley was educated at Stowe and served as a Second Lieutenant in the British army in Malaya before entering the film industry in 1952 as an assistant editor. He worked with notable directors such as Jacques Tati and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. before joining the editing team on several US TV series, including the popular Robin Hood.
In 1956, Deeley produced his first film starring Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan, followed by two B-pictures. He then joined MCA Universal as head of TV film distribution in Great Britain in 1958.
By 1964, Deeley had become General Manager and producer of Woodfall Films, responsible for producing a series of innovative films, including the Oscar-winning Tom Jones. He oversaw the production of The Knack, which won the prestigious Palme d'Or.
As an independent producer, Deeley worked with Paramount Pictures on films such as The Italian Job and Murphy's War, starring Michael Caine and Peter O'Toole, respectively. In 1967, he was part of a successful bid for the British independent TV franchise for Wales and the West of England.
In 1973, Deeley became managing director and later owner of British Lion Films, producing eight films in Britain, Italy, and the USA, including Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now and The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Deeley sold British Lion to EMI and became Managing Director of EMI Films Ltd and President of EMI Films Inc. During his tenure, he produced films such as Sam Peckinpah's Convoy, Death On The Nile, and the Oscar-winning The Deer Hunter.
In the 1980s, Deeley worked with Ridley Scott on the iconic sci-fi film Blade Runner. Between 1985 and 1990, he was Head of Production for Consolidated Entertainment Inc, responsible for numerous TV movies, including the period drama Young Catherine starring Vanessa Redgrave.
Michael Deeley is currently Deputy Chairman of The British Screen Advisory Council and has recently completed work on his autobiography, Don't Shoot the Producer.
