Director, producer and screenwriter Billy Wilder was born in Sucha Beskidzka, Poland on this day in 1906. The legendary directors career began as a young screenwriter living in Berlin in the 1920s. After the rise of the Nazi party, Wilder left Germany for Paris where he made his directorial debut before departing for Hollywood in 1933.

In 1939 he had his first major hit as one of the co-writers of the screenplay for 'Ninotchka' starring Greta Garbo. His reputation as a director was established with his adaptation of James M. Cain's 'Double Indemnity' (1944).

Further critical acclaim followed with Wilder directing some of the greatest films ever produced in Hollywood including 'The Lost Weekend' (1945), 'Sunset Boulevard' (1950), 'Stalag 17' (1953), 'The Seven Year Itch' (1955), 'Some Like It Hot' (1959) and 'The Apartment' (1960).