Michael Hanson is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He began his career in the late 1980s as an assistant director before making his directorial debut in 1993's The River King. Since then, he has helmed a number of feature films, television series, and documentaries, and is best known for his work on the award-winning drama series Six Feet Under.
Born in 1969 in Los Angeles, California, Hanson grew up in a family of filmmakers. His father was a cinematographer and his mother was an editor. From an early age, Hanson was steeped in the world of filmmaking and developed a passion for the craft. He studied film and television at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1990.
After graduating, Hanson worked as an assistant director on several feature films and television shows. His first opportunity to direct came in 1993 when he was hired to helm The River King, a crime drama starring Jeff Bridges and Mary-Louise Parker. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Hanson was lauded for his assured direction.
Hanson went on to direct a number of films in the following years, including the romantic comedy Kissing a Fool (1998), the drama Arlington Road (1999), and the thriller The Hole (2001). From 2001 to 2005, he served as an executive producer and director on the HBO drama series Six Feet Under, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination.
In 2006, Hanson directed the feature film The Good German, starring George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. The film was praised for its technical achievements, and Hanson's direction was lauded for its attention to detail. He also directed episodes of the television series Dexter, Mad Men, and House of Cards.
More recently, Hanson has focused on documentary filmmaking. He directed the acclaimed documentaries The Queen of Versailles (2012) and The Price of Everything (2018), both of which explored the excesses of the wealthy. His most recent projects include the biographical drama The Glorias (2020) and the upcoming drama series The Flight Attendant.
Throughout his career, Hanson has demonstrated a mastery of the craft of filmmaking and a commitment to telling compelling stories. His films have earned numerous awards and accolades, and his work continues to be admired by critics and audiences.
