John Landis

August 3rd, 2012

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On this date in 1950, John Landis was born in Chicago. His career in film began when he worked in the FOX mailroom and later as a stuntman before becoming an accomplished director. He directed his first film, “Schlock,” in 1973. Landis, a comedy and horror director, is known for the popular films “The Kentucky Fried Movie” (1977), “Animal House” (1978), “The Blues Brothers” (1980) and “An American Werewolf in London” (1981). He worked with Michael Jackson on the videos for “Thriller” (1983) and “Black or White” (1991). Landis is married to costume designer Deborah Landis and has two children: Max and Rachel.

Landis was born to a Jewish family, but lost his faith and is now a self-proclaimed atheist. During an interview with CNN on Nov. 2, 2011, he said: “If we don’t know, we make it up. That’s where religion comes from. Nobody really knows what happens when you’re dead. So what happens when you’re dead? Well, we invent religion, and we’ll invent heaven and hell.”

“I’m an atheist. I certainly don’t believe in the devil.” 

— John Landis, CNN, Nov. 2, 2011

Compiled by Sabrina Gaylor (FFRF)