Biography: Gene Saks was born Jean Michael Saks on November 8, 1921 in New York City to Morris Saks and the former Beatrix Leukowitz. He studied at Cornell and served in the Navy during World War II. He then studied acting at the New School for Social Research and the Actors Studio. He was influential in starting a theater cooperative at the Cherry Lane Theater. He transitioned mid-career from being an actor to a director. He directed eight of Neil Simon's plays on Broadway. He married Bea Arthur, with whom he had his sons Daniel and Matthew. He then married Keren Victoria Ettlinger, with whom he had his daughter, Annabelle.

Film/TV Credits: Film credits include: "Nobody's Fool," "The Odd Couple," "Deconstructing Harry," "Barefoot in the Park," "Cactus Flower," "Mame," and "The One and Only." Television credits include: "Law & Order," "Bachelor Father," "Mike Hammer," "The United States Steel Hour," "Kraft Theatre," and "You Are There."

Trivia:
The marquees of Broadway theaters were dimmed in his honor on April 1, 2015.