Who Won the Oscar for Best Director Every Year Since the Oscars Began

Special Report

January 16, 2019 6:20 pm

Last Updated: April 6, 2020 3:35 pm

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation

1939
> Winner: Frank Capra
> Film: “You Can’t Take It with You”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 3

Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

1940
> Winner: Victor Fleming
> Film: “Gone with the Wind”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 1

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

1941
> Winner: John Ford
> Film: “The Grapes of Wrath”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 4

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

1942
> Winner: John Ford
> Film: “How Green Was My Valley”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 4

Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

1943
> Winner: William Wyler
> Film: “Mrs. Miniver”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 3

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

1944
> Winner: Michael Curtiz
> Film: “Casablanca”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 1

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

1945
> Winner: Leo McCarey
> Film: “Going My Way”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 3

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

1946
> Winner: Billy Wilder
> Film: “The Lost Weekend”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 6

Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

1947
> Winner: William Wyler
> Film: “The Best Years of Our Lives”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 3

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

1948
> Winner: Elia Kazan
> Film: “Gentleman’s Agreement”
> Lifetime Oscar wins: 2

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