David Heeley is an American film director, producer and writer. He is best known for his work on the documentary films Woodstock, The Doors, Bob Marley, and The Beatles. Heeley was born in Buffalo, New York in 1950. He graduated from Canisius College in 1972 with a degree in theater and film.
In the late 1970s, Heeley began his career as a freelance television producer and director, producing and directing television programs for ABC and NBC. In 1978, he directed the documentary film Woodstock, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. In 1980, he directed The Doors, a documentary about the legendary rock band, which won an Emmy Award for Best Music Film.
In the early 1980s, Heeley directed and produced the documentaries Bob Marley and the Wailers: Catch a Fire and The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit. He co-produced the feature-length documentary film The Decline of Western Civilization, which was released in 1981.
In the 1990s, Heeley produced and directed the feature-length documentary films The Last Party, about the 1992 US Presidential election, and The U2: Rattle and Hum. He also produced and directed the documentary film The Irish in America, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 2003, Heeley produced and directed the film The Boys from County Clare, starring Colm Meaney and Andrea Corr. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Heeley is also the co-founder and co-director of the Documentary Film Institute at the University of Miami, where he teaches documentary filmmaking. He has received numerous awards for his films, including the International Documentary Association’s Career Achievement Award in 2004.
Heeley has been an active member of the film community for over 40 years, and his work has been seen in theaters and television around the world. His films have been praised for their insight into the human condition and his craftsmanship as a filmmaker. Heeley is a master of the documentary form, and his films have been an inspiration to many.
