Roman Polanski: 10 Key Moments

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.