December 3, 2015
On November 15, 2015, DGA Capra Award-winning UPM William C. Gerrity passed away at the age of 86. A DGA Member since 1964, Gerrity worked as an Assistant Director with some of the best in the business including Elia Kazan (A Face in the Crowd), Sidney Lumet (Stage Struck) and Arthur Penn (Alice’s Restaurant). He was also part of Director William Friedkin’s directorial team for the 1971 DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Award-winning film, The French Connection. As a Unit Production Manager, he continued that standard with filmmakers such as Alan J. Pakula (Sophie’s Choice), Ridley Scott (Someone to Watch Over Me) and Kenneth Branagh (Dead Again).
The son of a former president of New York’s IATSE Local 52, Gerrity took his Guild membership seriously, dedicating his time and service with seven terms as a member of the AD/UPM Council East and four terms as either an alternate or member of the DGA National Board. For his service to the DGA and dedication to his career, in 1983 Gerrity was honored with the Frank Capra Achievement Award, the highest honor the Guild can bestow upon a member of his category.
He called receiving the Capra Award his greatest moment, recalling, “Elia Kazan was honored that same year, and my first job in this business was on A Face in the Crowd. What an amazing day that was with my family watching.”