Jonathan Kaplan’s life in frames: A director who bridged stage, screen, and social justice

Jonathan Kaplan, the prolific producer and director passed away at the age of 77 on Friday at his Los Angeles home. Kaplan is known for several acclaimed movies and television shows including The Accused, ER, Witches of the East End and Bad Girls. The five-time Emmy nominated Hollywood legend was battling liver cancer. Kaplan is survived by his daughter Molly, sister Nora Heflin and nieces Hannah and Eliza.

Jonathan Kaplan finds his footing in Hollywood

Jonathan Kaplan came from Hollywood legacy with movie and television composer father, Sol Kaplan and mother, actress Frances Heflin, known for her role in All My Children. He was born on November 25, 1947, in Paris. He was also the nephew of Oscar winning actor Van Heflin, known for his movies such as Johnny Eager and Tennessee Johnson.

The Kaplan family moved to New York after 1954, where Jonathan first found his footing in the entertainment industry. His mother and he, who was 10 at the time, worked in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, a Broadway production directed by Elia Kazan. Later he would go on to study film at New York University.

He also had the distinct privilege of being taught by Martin Scorsese, on whose commendation, Kaplan got his first directorial opportunity in 1972 with the s*x comedy film Night Call Nurses, produced by Roger Corman. This venture was followed by The Student Teachers in 1973 and The Slams, produced by Gene Corman. In 1974 he also directed Truck Turner, a movie that revolves around a bounty hunter, who is on the run. The movie stars Isaac Hayes, Yaphet Kotto and Nichelle Nichols.

However, it was not until 1975 that Jonathan Kaplan established a name for himself in Hollywood. That year, he directed White Line Fever for Columbia Pictures. The movie, which was led by Jan-Michael Vincent and Kay Lenz follows the story of a young driver who fights corruption in the trucking industry. Following years, he would go on to direct several movies including Mr. Billion (1977) and Over the Edge (1979).

In the 80s, his directorial vision expanded to music videos as well. He directed the music videos for Barbra Streisand’s Left in the Dark and Rod Stewart’s Infatuation and Lost in You. He also directed music videos for John Cougar Mellencamp.

Jonathan Kaplan’s direction brought out the nuanced acting skills of his artistes. While Michelle Pfeiffer got an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Love Field (1992), Jodie Foster went on to win the Oscar for her riveting portrayal of Sarah Tobias, who stands up against her r*pists in The Accused (1988). Both the movies were helmed by Kaplan.

Kaplan’s filmography has several acclaimed directorial ventures including Heart Like a Wheel (1983), Project X (1987) starring Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt, Unlawful Entry (1992) starring Kurt Russell, Ray Liotta and Madeleine Stowe and Bad Girls (1994) starring Mary Stuart Masterson, Andie MacDowell and Drew Barrymore. His final directorial movie from 1999 titled Brokedown Palace with Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale received mixed response.

Jonathan Kaplan’s television career

Jonathan Kaplan also made a significant impact in the world of television. With shows such as ER, Fallen Angels, Law & Order: SVU, Without a Trace and Witches of the East End, he continued to achieve success. Kaplan received Primetime Emmy nominations in his role of director and producer for ER.

Jonathn Kaplan was known for his many remarkable works across the movie and television mediums. He was instrumental in bringing forth topics of social justice and inequality through his projects. His illustrious career also saw him earn several other accolades including two Golden Bear Awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and a Leo Award.

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