**Warren Beatty** (born Henry Warren Beaty in Richmond, Virginia, 1937) is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, an influential figure in modern cinema.

He emerged as a restless talent in the 1960s with films such as *Splendor in the Grass* (1961), which solidified his image as a charming, rebellious youth. He further solidified his fame and artistic vision by producing and starring in *Bonnie and Clyde* (1967), a landmark film that redefined the gangster genre.

Beatty is also renowned for his work behind the camera. He achieved great success with *Heaven Can Wait* (1978) and particularly with *Reds* (1981), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director. His acting style is characterized by his ability to infuse complexity into characters who are often charming, idealistic, yet also tormented. Beatty was a pioneer of the actor-auteur, maintaining creative control over his projects and meticulously shaping his career.