Sydney Irwin Pollack (July 1, 1934 – May 26, 2008) was an
American film director, producer and
actor. Pollack directed more than 21 films and 10 television shows, acted in over 30 films or shows, and produced over 44 films. His 1985 film
Out of Africa won him
Academy Awards for directing and producing; he was also nominated for Best Director Oscars for
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) and
Tootsie (1982), in the latter of which he also appeared.