Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh (born Feb. 20, 1943, in Welwyn Garden City, England) started in theater, then expanded into films, frequently working with actors to improvise situations and dialogue. His films have earned multiple Golden Globe nominations, High Hopes (1988), Secrets and Lies (1996), The Gilbert & Sullivan film Topsy-Turvy (1999) Vera Drake (2004), Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) and Mr. Turner (2014).