Former race car driver and chauffeur who began his film career as a cinematographer, working with Allan Dwan, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith before graduating to directing in 1919. Fleming's talent for spectacular action and his ability to elicit strong performances from leading stars made him one of the most popular directors of the 1930s. He is most widely known for "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) and for taking over the direction of "Gone with the Wind" (1939) from George Cukor.
Companion
COMPANION: Clara Bow. Actor. Had relationship in the 1920s.
WIFE: Lucille Rosson. Survived him.
Milestone
1910: Began film career as assistant cameraman to Allan Dwan (at American Film Company)
1915: Hired as director of photography at Triangle
Served with the photographic section of US Army Signal Corps during WWI and was Walter Wanger's cameraman at the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference
1919: First film as director (with Ted Reed) "When the Clouds Roll By"
1920: First film as solo director with "The Mollycoddle"
1932: Joined MGM as contract director
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