John Guillermin Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

John Guillermin (1935 - 2015) born Yvon Jean Guillermin, was a French-British director, writer and producer. Born in London to French parents, Guillermin joined the British Royal Air Force at age 17 and became a British citizen at age 18. Read the full biography

John Guillermin (1935 - 2015) born Yvon Jean Guillermin, was a French-British director, writer and producer. Born in London to French parents, Guillermin joined the British Royal Air Force at age 17 and became a British citizen at age 18. He began making documentaries in France at the age of 22, then returned to London to collaborate with Robert Jordan Hill on several films. After studying filmmaking methods in Hollywood, Guillermin continued to frequently make low-budget films in his native England before receiving an offer to work in Hollywood in the late 1960s. Guillermin's work was characterized by the use of unconventional camera angles and handheld shooting. Guillermin was very active in big-budget action and adventure films throughout his Hollywood career, including directing King Kong in 1976. He returned to direct King Kong Lives in 1986, shortly after the tragic death of his son in a car accident. As a result he was away from the production for long periods of time, resulting in filming having to be completed by an uncredited Charles McCracken. King Kong Lives was Guillermin's last film credit and he retired after working in television for the rest of the 1980s. Guillermin died of a heart attack in Topanga, California on September 27, 2015, at the age of 89.