Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an american film director, screenwriter, actor and producer .
He started his career working on the radio where his adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds was so realistic that caused panic among the listeners who thought that the earth was being invaded by extraterrestrials.
He only directed 19 feature films in his lifetime but his influence has been revolutionary, having started many of the techniques that are used in today's films; e.g.: long takes, chiaroscuro, sound techniques, deep focus shots, use of the lighting, etc.
His first film, that he directed when he was 25, Citizen Kane (1941) has been praised in many reviews and lists as the best film ever made.
Other remarkable works in his career are The Stranger, The Lady of Shanghai, Chimes at Midnight and Touch of Evil.
He was married three times, the second time to actress Rita Hayworth.