Will Gluck

Writer-producer-director Will Gluck's resume undoubtedly provided a great deal of inspiration for aspiring filmmakers. Though it had a long list of critically praised but ratings-challenged sitcoms, Gluck went on to direct "Easy A" (2010) and "Friends with Benefits" (2011), two of the wittiest and most crowd-pleasing comedies to emerge from Hollywood in many years. His perseverance in the face of seemingly ceaseless rejection did little to dampen his skill at screwball-style dialogue and pacing, which further elevated his features beyond the usual industry fare. Meanwhile, he displayed an ability to draw winning comic turns from actors outside the Hollywood laugh track, like Emma Stone, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church, Richard Jenkins and Woody Harrelson. Though his feature career was relatively brief in comparison to his television efforts, Gluck's work underscored the all-too-often-forgotten fact that talent, taste and hard work yield positive results and can lead to a successful career.