Hollywood's Most Successful Italian American Film Directors

We should take pride in our roots. I'm proud to be an American with Italian ancestry. Call me an Italian American or American Italian, but knowing where you come from is indeed a powerful anchor for life's uncertain journey.

Moviemakers come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Many have a distinctly Italian spice! Meet some of the best Italian American film directors.

Frank Capra

With the holiday film classic It's A Wonderful Life alone to his credit, this Italian American is a giant amongst movie makers.

Capra not only directed the movie, but also wrote the screenplay. When he approached Jimmy Stewart about starring, Stewart was eager, even though he'd be painted in a new light with incredibly tough, even dark dramatic scenes. The rest of course is history, as the movie is a beloved classic. Capra also scored another hit with Stewart, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, the journey of an idealistic man as he plays in the big political leagues of Washington D.C. In an election year, especially the turbulent one we're in now, it's definitely worth a look.

Martin Scorsese

This director finally won his long elusive Oscar in 2007 for his brutal crime drama The Departed.

With classic films like Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, Scorsese boasts one of the most critically acclaimed and diverse bodies of work for any film maker. His biopic of Howard Hughes starring Leonardo DiCaprio, The Aviator is one of his most epic movies for an unflinching look at such a tortured, though brilliant genius as Hughes against the backdrop of the burgeoning American aviation industry.

Francis Ford Coppola

Although organized crime was seen before in movies, Coppola's masterwork The Godfather literally redefined the entire genre.