Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne is an American filmmaker and movie director known for his satirical and often darkly humorous films. Born on February 10, 1961, in Omaha, Nebraska, Payne attended Stanford University where he majored in Spanish and History. He later earned an MFA in film from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Payne's directorial debut came with the comedy Citizen Ruth in 1996, but he gained wider recognition with his subsequent films Election (1999) and About Schmidt (2002), both of which received critical acclaim. 

Payne's work often focuses on middle-aged or older characters who are struggling with personal or societal issues. His 2004 film Sideways, a road trip comedy-drama about two friends touring the wine country of California, won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for four other Oscars, including Best Director. He continued to receive accolades for his films The Descendants (2011) and Nebraska (2013), both of which were nominated for multiple Academy Awards, with The Descendants winning Best Adapted Screenplay. 

In addition to his feature films, Payne has also directed short films and segments for anthology films, such as Paris, je t'aime (2006). He has served as a producer on several films and television series, and has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1996. Despite his success, Payne is known for maintaining a low profile and often returns to his hometown of Omaha, where he has set several of his films.