Michael Curtiz (/kɜːrˈtiːz/ kur-TEEZ; born Manó Kaminer; since 1905 Mihály Kertész; Hungarian: Kertész Mihály; December 24, 1886 – April 10, 1962) was a Hungarian-American film director, recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history. He directed classic films from the silent era and numerous others duringHollywood's Golden Age, when the studio system was prevalent.