Billy Wilder (1906-2002) was an Austrian-American director, screenwriter, and producer, one of Hollywood's most influential figures.

His career was marked by extraordinary versatility across genres, from film noir to romantic comedy, always with a distinctive touch. Wilder was known for his brilliant and incisive dialogue, sharp social satire, and the ability to explore human complexity with elegant cynicism and bittersweet humor.

His masterpieces include the film noir *Double Indemnity* (1944), the dramatic Hollywood critique *Sunset Boulevard* (1950), and the iconic comedies *Some Like It Hot* (1959) and *The Apartment* (1960), which earned him numerous Oscars. He often co-wrote screenplays with I.A.L. Diamond. His work remains a benchmark for narrative intelligence and character depth.