Frank Capra (1897-1991) passed away on September 3, 1991 at the age of 94. Capra was an American film maker who rose to fame in the 1930s for directing beloved films such as It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and Lost Horizon. He was nominated for, and won, several Academy Awards for both directing and producing throughout his career. Born and raised in Sicily, Capra moved to the United States in 1903. He eventually attended California Institute of Technology where he studied civil engineering. He left the university in 1918 to join the US Army where he was initially assigned to an artillery unit because of his engineering background. After leaving the Army, he worked as a laborer at the studio of Hal Roach before working his way through a number of assistant director positions. He directed his first film in 1926. Many of his films talk about the political issues brewing at the time, such as the economic divide between the rich and poor and the importance of family. In 1942, Capra enlisted in the Army again as a Major. While serving in Italy, he produced seven military films for the US army. After being discharged in 1945, he directed one more movie before announcing retirement in 1947. Despite his retirement, Capra remained an active commentator for the industry, consulting on film projects and giving lectures to students. He earned the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 1982. Cherished by fans and critics alike, Frank Capra's legacy lives on.