George Hickenlooper

Background

Hickenlooper was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, the son of Barbara Jo Wenger, a social worker and stage actress, and George Loening Hickenlooper, Junior., a teacher and playwright.

Education

He attended high school at Saint Louis University High, where he was part of a group of teenage filmmakers he informally called the "Splicers".

Career

After graduating from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Film Studies in 1986, Hickenlooper interned for the producer Roger Corman, and launched his directing career with Art, Acting, and the Suicide Chair: Dennis Hopper in 1988. His first feature-length documentary, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker"s Apocalypse, explored the making of Apocalypse Now. John was the mayor of Denver at the time, and has since become the Governor of Colorado.

In addition to his films, Hickenlooper authored a book in 1991, Reel Conversations.

Hickenlooper died in his sleep on October 29, 2010. Despite initial reports that Hickenlooper had suffered a heart attack, the coroner ruled that his death was the result of accidental painkiller overdose, combining oxymorphone with alcohol.

Sleep apnea and a "moderately enlarged heart" were contributing factors.

Achievements

• lieutenant won several awards, including the National Board of Review award for "Best Documentary", an American Cinema Editors award for "Best Edited Documentary", two Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards for "Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Directing" and "Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Picture Editing", and the International Documentary Association award. Hickenlooper himself won an Emmy for direction.

Connections

Cousin:

John Hickenlooper