Roman Polanski: 'Rosemary's Baby' director's life, career in photos
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Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski's life and career in photos

Sean Dougherty David Baratz
Roman Polanski, the Oscar-winning film director, is known as much for the Mia Farrow classic "Rosemary's Baby" and his marriage to late actress Sharon Tate as he is for the decades-long sexual assault scandal swirling around him. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2018 voted to expel Polanski from its membership, more than 40 years after he was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl and 15 years after he won a best director Oscar, and there have since been legal updates in the charges against him, including an upcoming civil trial over the alleged 1973 rape set for 2025. Look back at the life and career of the embattled director in photos.
Roman Polanski, the Oscar-winning film director, is known as much for the Mia Farrow classic "Rosemary's Baby" and his marriage to late actress Sharon Tate as he is for the decades-long sexual assault scandal swirling around him. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2018 voted to expel Polanski from its membership, more than 40 years after he was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl and 15 years after he won a best director Oscar, and there have since been legal updates in the charges against him, including an upcoming civil trial over the alleged 1973 rape set for 2025.

Look back at the life and career of the embattled director in photos.
LAURENT EMMANUEL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Roman Polanski, left, with producer Gene Gutowski and actress Catherine Deneuve in South Kensington, London, during the filming of "Repulsion" on Aug. 17, 1964.
Roman Polanski, left, with producer Gene Gutowski and actress Catherine Deneuve in South Kensington, London, during the filming of "Repulsion" on Aug. 17, 1964.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Polish filmmaker and actor Roman Polanski with his second wife-to-be, American actress Sharon Tate, at London Airport in January 1967.
Polish filmmaker and actor Roman Polanski with his second wife-to-be, American actress Sharon Tate, at London Airport in January 1967.
Evening Standard, Getty Images
Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate at their wedding in January 1968. She was subsequently murdered by members of Charles Manson's pseudo-religious sect "The Family."
Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate at their wedding in January 1968. She was subsequently murdered by members of Charles Manson's pseudo-religious sect "The Family."
Evening Standard, Getty Images
Roman Polanski at London Airport on his way to Los Angeles, where his wife, Sharon Tate, has been murdered, on Aug. 11, 1969.
Roman Polanski at London Airport on his way to Los Angeles, where his wife, Sharon Tate, has been murdered, on Aug. 11, 1969.
Reg Burkett, Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner, left, then-girlfriend and actress Barbara Benton and film director Roman Polanski, right, arriving at Le Bourget airport with the Playboy jet "Big Bunny" on Aug. 21, 1970.
Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner, left, then-girlfriend and actress Barbara Benton and film director Roman Polanski, right, arriving at Le Bourget airport with the Playboy jet "Big Bunny" on Aug. 21, 1970.
AFP Via Getty Images
Mia Farrow plays the pregnant Rosemary Woodhouse in a cemetery scene from Roman Polanski's film "Rosemary's Baby" in 1967.
Mia Farrow plays the pregnant Rosemary Woodhouse in a cemetery scene from Roman Polanski's film "Rosemary's Baby" in 1967.
Harry Benson, Getty Images
Roman Polanski received an Oscar nomination for directing 1974's "Chinatown," starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.
Roman Polanski received an Oscar nomination for directing 1974's "Chinatown," starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
German actress Nastassja Kinski and director Roman Polanski pose for a photograph after a news conference for his film "Tess," in which Kinski plays the title character, at the 32nd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 1979.
German actress Nastassja Kinski and director Roman Polanski pose for a photograph after a news conference for his film "Tess," in which Kinski plays the title character, at the 32nd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 1979.
Agence France Presse, Getty Images
The rehearsal of the play "Amadeus" by Peter Shaffer, directed and performed by Roman Polanski, right, Sonia Vollereaux, center, and François Perier at the Marigny Theater in Paris on Jan. 24, 1982.
The rehearsal of the play "Amadeus" by Peter Shaffer, directed and performed by Roman Polanski, right, Sonia Vollereaux, center, and François Perier at the Marigny Theater in Paris on Jan. 24, 1982.
AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski, left, speaks next to Robert De Niro and Solidarity leader Lech Walesa on Sept. 21, 1989, in Gdansk, Poland.
Roman Polanski, left, speaks next to Robert De Niro and Solidarity leader Lech Walesa on Sept. 21, 1989, in Gdansk, Poland.
DRUSZCZ WOJTEIC, AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski, right, and Johnny Depp share a laugh during a news conference in Toledo, Spain, on Sept. 14, 1998. Polanski shot the movie "La Novena Puerta," inspired by Arturo Perez Reverte's book "El Club Dumas," with Depp in the lead role.
Roman Polanski, right, and Johnny Depp share a laugh during a news conference in Toledo, Spain, on Sept. 14, 1998. Polanski shot the movie "La Novena Puerta," inspired by Arturo Perez Reverte's book "El Club Dumas," with Depp in the lead role.
DOMINIQUE FAGET, AFP Via Getty Images
Adrien Brody, left, and Roman Polanski on the set of 2002's "The Pianist." Polanski won best director and Brody won best actor at the Oscars for their work on the film. Polanski didn't attend the Oscar ceremony because he was a fugitive from U.S. justice after fleeing the country in 1978. Presenter Harrison Ford accepted the award on Polanski's behalf.
Adrien Brody, left, and Roman Polanski on the set of 2002's "The Pianist." Polanski won best director and Brody won best actor at the Oscars for their work on the film. Polanski didn't attend the Oscar ceremony because he was a fugitive from U.S. justice after fleeing the country in 1978. Presenter Harrison Ford accepted the award on Polanski's behalf.
GUY FERRANDIS/FOCUS FEATURES
Adrien Brody, awarded best actor, poses with Roman Polanski, awarded best director, during the 28th Nuit des Cesar at the Chatelet theatre in Paris on Feb. 22, 2003.
Adrien Brody, awarded best actor, poses with Roman Polanski, awarded best director, during the 28th Nuit des Cesar at the Chatelet theatre in Paris on Feb. 22, 2003.
PIERRE VERDY, AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski shows the Oscar statuette that he received from Harrison Ford during the 29th American Film festival on Sept. 7, 2003, in Deauville, France. Polanski won an Oscar that year for his movie "The Pianist." He could not accept it himself as he was still wanted in the U.S. for statutory rape.
Roman Polanski shows the Oscar statuette that he received from Harrison Ford during the 29th American Film festival on Sept. 7, 2003, in Deauville, France. Polanski won an Oscar that year for his movie "The Pianist." He could not accept it himself as he was still wanted in the U.S. for statutory rape.
MYCHELE DANIAU, AFP Via Getty Images
From left, Roman Polanski, Pawel Edelman and Barney Clark on the set of 2005's "Oliver Twist."
From left, Roman Polanski, Pawel Edelman and Barney Clark on the set of 2005's "Oliver Twist."
GUY FERRANDIS/TRISTAR PICTURES
Martin Scorsese and Roman Polanski speak on Sept. 26, 2006, during the inauguration of the French Cinematheque in Bercy district in Paris.
Martin Scorsese and Roman Polanski speak on Sept. 26, 2006, during the inauguration of the French Cinematheque in Bercy district in Paris.
ERIC FEFERBERG, AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski poses during a news conference to present his musical "Dance of the Vampires" on Oct. 11, 2006, in Berlin. Polanski directed the movie of the same name in 1967.
Roman Polanski poses during a news conference to present his musical "Dance of the Vampires" on Oct. 11, 2006, in Berlin. Polanski directed the movie of the same name in 1967.
OLIVER LANG, DDP/AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski, left, on the set of 2010's "The Ghost Writer."
Roman Polanski, left, on the set of 2010's "The Ghost Writer."
GUY FARRANDIS/SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Roman Polanski, left, and Pierce Brosnan on the set of "The Ghost Writer."
Roman Polanski, left, and Pierce Brosnan on the set of "The Ghost Writer."
GUY FARRANDIS/SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud kisses Roman Polanski during a meeting at the Academie des Beaux-Arts, or the French Academy of Fine Arts, on March 28, 2012, in Paris.
French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud kisses Roman Polanski during a meeting at the Academie des Beaux-Arts, or the French Academy of Fine Arts, on March 28, 2012, in Paris.
JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK, AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski leaves the "La Venus A La Fourrure" premiere during the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival at Theatre Lumiere on May 25, 2013 in Cannes, France.
Roman Polanski leaves the "La Venus A La Fourrure" premiere during the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival at Theatre Lumiere on May 25, 2013 in Cannes, France.
Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images
French director Claude Lelouch and Roman Polanski film with their phones as they arrive on May 23, 2017, for the 70th anniversary ceremony of Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.
French director Claude Lelouch and Roman Polanski film with their phones as they arrive on May 23, 2017, for the 70th anniversary ceremony of Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT, AFP Via Getty Images
Actress Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski and actress Eva Green arrive on May 27, 2017, for the screening of "Based on a True Story" ("D'Apres une Histoire Vraie") at the 70th edition of Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.
Actress Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski and actress Eva Green arrive on May 27, 2017, for the screening of "Based on a True Story" ("D'Apres une Histoire Vraie") at the 70th edition of Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.
ANTONIN THUILLIER, AFP Via Getty Images
Roman Polanski arrives on the red carpet of the 45th Deauville US Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2019, in Deauville, France.
Roman Polanski arrives on the red carpet of the 45th Deauville US Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2019, in Deauville, France.
LOIC VENANCE, AFP Via Getty Images
Feminist activists holding signs demonstrate outside the Salle Pleyel in Paris as guests arrive for the 45th edition of the Cesar Film Awards ceremony on Feb. 28, 2020. The Cesar Academy has been under fire since Roman Polanski's film "An Officer and a Spy" ("J'accuse") topped the nominations for the awards. Polanski told AFP he would not attend the French Oscars ceremony because he fears a "public lynching."
Feminist activists holding signs demonstrate outside the Salle Pleyel in Paris as guests arrive for the 45th edition of the Cesar Film Awards ceremony on Feb. 28, 2020. The Cesar Academy has been under fire since Roman Polanski's film "An Officer and a Spy" ("J'accuse") topped the nominations for the awards. Polanski told AFP he would not attend the French Oscars ceremony because he fears a "public lynching."
LUCAS BARIOULET, AFP Via Getty Images
Emmanuelle Seigner and Roman Polanski attend the Stones Sixty Europe 2022 tour at the Hippodrome de Longchamp in Paris on July 23, 2022.
Emmanuelle Seigner and Roman Polanski attend the Stones Sixty Europe 2022 tour at the Hippodrome de Longchamp in Paris on July 23, 2022.
PASCAL ROSSIGNOL, REUTERS
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