Harry Hurwitz was an American filmmaker, director, and producer who had a long career in independent film. Born in New York City in 1945, Hurwitz was raised in Brooklyn and attended the High School of Art and Design. After high school, he studied film at New York University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema Studies.
Hurwitz's first feature film, "The Groove Tube," was released in 1974 and was an instant cult classic. The film was a satirical look at television and the media, and featured a variety of offbeat characters and sketches. The success of this film led to Hurwitz making a number of other independent films in the 1970s and 1980s, ranging from comedy to horror. These included "The Groove Tube 2," "The First Turn-On!!," "The Wild World of Batwoman," and "Nightmare Sisters."
Throughout his career, Hurwitz's films often dealt with themes of social satire and absurdity. His films were often controversial and received mixed reviews, but they often became cult favorites. Hurwitz also wrote and directed a number of television shows, including "The Love Boat," "The New Adventures of Wonder Woman," and "The Facts of Life."
In the early 1990s, Hurwitz returned to independent film-making, producing a number of projects, including the critically-acclaimed "The Man Who Knew Too Little," "The Naked Man," and "The Opposite of Sex." He also wrote and directed "The Last Big Thing," which earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.
Hurwitz continued to make films throughout the 2000s, but his later projects were less successful than his earlier works. He also wrote a number of screenplays, including "The Evil Within" and "The Big Bad Wolf."
In 2010, Hurwitz was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and died a few months later. He was 65 years old. Despite his short career, Hurwitz left behind a legacy of unique and offbeat films that continue to be appreciated by fans of independent film.
