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Leon Gast

Screenwriter / Film Director / Film Producer / Cinematographer / Television Producer | * 1936 († 03/08/2021) | Jersey City, New Jersey (United States of America (USA))
Leon Jacques Gast (March 30, 1936 – March 8, 2021) was an American documentary film director, producer, cinematographer, and editor. His documentary, When We Were Kings depicts the iconic heavyweight boxing match: The Rumble in the Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. This film would go on to win the 1996 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and the Independent Spirit Award. Gast co-directed the 1977 documentary, The Grateful Dead Movie with guitarist Jerry Garcia. The film captured the band's October 1974, five-night performance at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Gast also co-directed the 1983 film Hell's Angels Forever, which focused on the notorious motorcycle club Hells Angels. The Angels are believed to have learned that Gast put material in the documentary which they didn't prefer. To this end, Gast claimed that the Angels tracked him down and beat him up. Gast also produced works on B.B. King and Celia Cruz. ()
Photo of Leon Gast
Most frequent genres for this person: Documentaries | Music | Drama

Known for these Movies & Shows

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Movies with Leon Gast as Crew(19)

Directing/Director2014 Manny
Directing/Director2010 Smash His Camera
Production/Producer2008 Soul Power
Directing/Director2003 1 Love
Directing/Director1998 B.B. King: Live In Africa '74
Production/Producer1998 B.B. King: Live In Africa '74
Editing/Editor1996 Muhammad Ali The Whole Story
Directing/Director1996 When We Were Kings
Editing/Editor1996 When We Were Kings
Production/Producer1996 When We Were Kings
Writing/Writer1996 When We Were Kings
Directing/Director1983 Hells Angels Forever
Directing/Director1977 The Grateful Dead Movie
Directing/Director1976 Salsa
Writing/Writer1976 Salsa
Directing/Director1972 Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa)

Additional Information

Official websites:
Full Name: Leon Gast
Born: 1936 in Jersey City, New Jersey (United States of America (USA))
Died: Monday, 03/08 2021 (March) in Woodstock (aged: 85)
Languages: English (EN, native language)
Educated at: Columbia University, Henry Snyder High School
Leon Gast frequently works together with these people:
Kevin Keating (5x, Crew)
Don King (5x, Actor)
Muhammad Ali (4x, Actor)
Jerry Garcia (4x, Actor)
Keith Robinson (4x, Crew)
B.B. King (3x, Actor)
David Sonenberg (3x, Crew)
Albert Maysles (3x, Crew)
Roderick Young (2x, Crew)
Celia Cruz (2x, Actress)
WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:1125496, Added: 12/20/2018, Last updated: 03/23/2024