Roman Polanski: 10 Key Moments

The Oscar-winning director has made Hollywood history -- in more ways than one. Here, a timeline of career events
By Kate Ward
September 29, 2009 at 09:00 PM EDT

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1963

Everett Collection

The Polish director starts strong with his Oscar-nominated debut feature film, Knife in the Water.

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2 of 11

1968

Everett Collection

After brief stints in France and England, Polanski relocates to the United States, where he releases his classic horror film, Rosemary’s Baby. The film earns him an Oscar nod for writing.

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1969

Keystone-France/Everett Collection

One year after marrying actress Sharon Tate, Polanski loses his new wife — who is eight months pregnant — to the brutal Charles Manson murders.

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4 of 11

1971

Everett Collection

Polanski releases a remarkably violent film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a project he started shortly after Tate’s murder.

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5 of 11

1974

Steve Schapiro/Corbis

The director helms the critically acclaimed Chinatown. The film picks up a whopping 11 Oscar nominations, including one for star Jack Nicholson.

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1977

Jim McHugh/Sygma/Corbis

After a photo shoot, Polanski gives a 13-year-old girl champagne and quaaludes before having sex with her. Polanski pleads guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

1978
Polanski flees the U.S. for France. The U.S. files a extradition request, but is denied.

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1981

Everett Collection

What controversy? The Academy gives Polanski another Oscar nomination for Tess, his adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

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1997

Guy Ferrandis

An attempt to settle the sex case fails when Polanski refuses to return to the U.S. to attend hearings.

2002
Polanski garners acclaim once again for The Pianist, a film about a WWII-era musician. He wins his first Oscar, but obviously, does not travel to the U.S. to accept it.

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2008

Los Angeles Times/UCLA Library Department of Special Collections

The documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired hints at what Polanski claims was judicial misconduct. The director requests a dismissal, which is denied.

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10 of 11

2009

Francois G. Durand/WireImage.com

Polanski’s request to have the case moved out of L.A is denied. His lawyers file an appeal, which is pending. En route to the Zurich Film Festival to pick up a lifetime achievement award, Polanski is arrested by authorities.

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