Lewis Milestone

Lewis Milestone was an American film director, born on September 30, 1895, in Chișinău, then part of the Russian Empire. He later held United States citizenship and worked in the American film industry. At the inaugural Academy Awards ceremony on May 16, 1929, Milestone received the award for Directing (Comedy Picture) for his film “Two Arabian Knights.” This achievement establishes his record as the first Jewish filmmaker to win an Academy Award in a directing category. Because he was recognized at the very first ceremony, no earlier recipient is possible. His Jewish identity was documented by contemporary sources, including the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, which confirmed the award was given to a Jewish filmmaker. Milestone died in Los Angeles, California, on September 25, 1980.