Alexander Grasshoff was a German-American film director, writer and producer. He is best known for directing the 1968 science fiction classic, Planet of the Apes.
Grasshoff was born in Berlin, Germany in 1928. He studied theater and opera at the Berlin Academy of Music and studied directing at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. After completing his studies, he worked as a stage director for various theaters, including the Berliner Ensemble and the Schiller Theater.
In the late 1950s, Grasshoff moved to the United States, where he worked as a television director. He directed episodes for series such as Combat!, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. He also directed the television movie, The Last Man on Earth, which starred Vincent Price.
In 1968, Grasshoff was chosen to direct Planet of the Apes. The film was a major success, becoming one of the most iconic science fiction films of all time. It spawned four sequels and a remake in 2001.
After Planet of the Apes, Grasshoff directed the 1970 film, The Hawaiians, starring Charlton Heston. He went on to direct and write other films, including the 1975 film, The Ultimate Warrior, and the 1977 television movie, The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Grasshoff was an avid collector of rare books and was an advocate for the preservation of the environment. He was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Grasshoff passed away in 2005 at the age of 77. He left behind a legacy of groundbreaking science fiction films, television movies and television series. His work is still fondly remembered today by fans of science fiction and film.
