- Born
- Died
- Birth nameStewart Solomon
- Mel Stuart was born on September 2, 1928 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and director, known for The Making of the President 1960 (1963), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135 (2000). He was married to Roberta Frances Silberman and Harriet Rosalind Dolin. He died on August 9, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
- SpousesRoberta Frances Silberman(November 9, 1985 - February 12, 2011) (her death)Harriet Rosalind Dolin(August 12, 1956 - January 18, 1979) (divorced, 3 children)
- Children
- RelativesStan Lee(Cousin)
- First cousin of Stan Lee.
- His daughter, Madeline Stuart, read "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", then suggested that he make a movie out of it.
- Two of his children, Peter Stuart and Madeline Stuart, make cameo appearances in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). His son, Peter, appears as the little boy "Winkleman", who informs Charlie's teacher about Willy Wonka opening his chocolate factory and his daughter, Madeline, appears as one of the little girls in Charlie's classroom.
- Initially aspired to be a composer, but after leaving university decided on a career as a filmmaker instead. He started as a producer of documentaries in the 1960s and 1970s with the David L. Wolper Organisation, going freelance after 1977.
- He has directed two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Wattstax (1973).
- [on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)] I'm not talking down to children and giving them squirrels with funny faces and all that stuff.
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