Trivia

In order to join the Directors Guild Of America (DGA) a candidate must be nominated by three established members. When Parker applied for membership his nominators were: Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola and John Schlesinger.

Considered Oliver Stone as his strong antagonist since their collaboration on Midnight Express (1978). Parker even declined several times to give him WGA credits for his previous work on Evita (1996), but finally agreed to do so after a long deliberation with WGA's law representatives.

Directed 3 actors to Oscar nominations: John Hurt (Best Supporting Actor, Midnight Express (1978)), Gene Hackman (Best Actor, Mississippi Burning (1988)), and Frances McDormand (Best Supporting Actress, Mississippi Burning (1988)).

He was a founding member of the Directors' Guild of Great Britain and has lectured at film schools around the world.

Member of the Official Competition jury at the 44th Cannes International Film Festival in 1991.

His sons Alexander Parker and Jake Parker help their father out on a lot of his projects, e.g. composing the score for The Life of David Gale (2003).

Appointed CBE in 1995 and knighted in the 2002 New Year's Honours List. Known as Sir Alan Parker.

Usually, his films end with either the main character dying or end with a depressing down note (see Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), Evita (1996), The Life of David Gale (2003), Angela's Ashes (1999), Mississippi Burning (1988) and Midnight Express (1978)).

Was friends with director Tony Scott, whom he sponsored to direct The Hunger (1983) for producer Richard Shepard.

In an interview for The Road to Wellville (1994), Parker stated that his mission as a filmmaker was to make at least one movie for each genre available.

One of Parker's idols, Fred Zinnemann, became an unlikely mentor and would often agree to see many of his films before anyone else.

Published several collections of film industry-related cartoons, including "Hares in the Gate" (1983).

Father of Nathan Parker.

Wrote press-kit annotations for journalists at advance screenings for many years, beginning in 1981.

He was the son of Elsie Ellen, a dressmaker, and William Leslie Parker, a house painter.

He has directed one film that has been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Fame (1980).

Has one daughter: Annie from a previous marriage and one son: Henry from his current marriage LIsa, and seven grandchildren.

He has directed two films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Midnight Express (1978) and Mississippi Burning (1988).