Albert Wolsky, French costume designer. Recipient TDF/Irene Sharaff lifetime achievement award, Theater Development Fund, 2010. Member of Academy Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (board governors).
Background
Wolsky was born in Paris, France, but during World World War II, he and the rest of his family fled to the United States to escape the German occupation. Once he returned to the United States, he began working in his father"s travel agency.
Career
After graduating from the City College of New York, he served in the army from 1953-1956, spending most of his enlistment in Japan. However, he decided to change careers and took an assistant"s job with notable costume maker Helene Pons. Wolsky became a well regarded costume designer, working both on Broadway and in the motion picture industry.
The first film Wolsky worked on was The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.
He worked on many films including Harry and Tonto, The Turning Point, Grease and Manhattan. He began his career as costume designer for the theatre by assisting costume designer Ann Roth on A Case of Libel (1963).
He later assisted Roth on The Odd Couple (1965), Patricia Zipprodt on Fiddler on the Roof (1964), and Theoni Aldredge on Illya Darling (1967). His first work as lead costumer was Generation (1965).
He went on to serve as principal costume designer for both plays and musicals, including The Sunshine Boys (1972) and Sly Fox (1976).
Wolsky has been announced as the designer for the 2012 Broadway production of The Heiress.
Membership
Member of Academy Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (board governors).