Terror-meister and master of the gory slasher thriller who began career as stage manager and actor before making his directorial debut with the pseudo-documentary porn film, "Together" (1971; on which another future contemporary master of horror, Wes Craven, served as assistant producer). After producing Craven's cult horror favorite, "Last House on the Left" (1972), Cunningham directed a series of low-budget films, hitting the jackpot with the premier "Friday the 13th" (1980). He has since concentrated on producing, forming Cunningham Productions in 1984, which made "House" (1984) and its 1985 sequel.
- Also Credited As:
Sean Cunningham, Sean S. Cunningham
- Born:
December 31, 1941 in New York, New York
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Job Titles:
Producer, Director, Actor
Education
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Stanford University, Stanford, California, film and drama, MFA
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Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, BA
Milestones
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1971 Debut as feature film director and co-producer (with Roger Murphy), "Together/Sensual Paradise" (pseudo-documentary porn film on which Wes Craven served as assistant producer)
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1971 Formed Sean S. Cunningham Films, Ltd.
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1984 Formed Cunningham Productions, specializing in horror films
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1997 Formed Sun Valley Film Corp., to handle more mainstream features
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Became producer of Mineola Theatre, Long Island, NY and other theater companies nationwide; brought several productions to Broadway
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Produced commercials, industrial films and documentaries
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Worked briefly as an actor then stage manager