Kurt Luedtke

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BIRTHDAY

September 29, 1938

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

RECENT CREDITS

Absence of Malice (FILM) Jan. 1, 2003

Random Hearts (FILM) Oct. 8, 1999

The Bridges of Madison County (FILM) Jun. 2, 1995

Out of Africa (FILM) Dec. 13, 1985

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BIOGRAPHY

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Kurt Luedtke became a newspaper reporter immediately after graduation from college, first in Grand Rapids, MI, and then at the DETROIT FREE PRESS, and was executive editor of the latter by the time he was 34. But at age 39, he shifted careers, and in 1981 he had his first effort as a screenwriter produced, "Absence of Malice", which drew on his background in journalism. The film, directed by Sydney Pollack, starred Sally Field as a reporter who is duped into writing a story that discredits a businessman (Paul Newman) who, in turn, seeks revenge. While the film met with a mixed critical reception, the script earned Luedtke an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The screenwriter had even greater success with his second effort, again for director Pollack, "Out of Africa" (1985). Based on the life and works of Danish author Isak Dinesen (nee Karen Blixen), the film, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, was a lush, old-fashioned romantic biography. "Out of Africa" received eight Oscars including Best Picture, Director (Pollack) and Best Screenplay (Luedtke).

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