Preston Sturges was an American director, screenwriter, and producer born in 1898. In 1940, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Great McGinty, marking a historic achievement as the first screenwriter to successfully transition into directing. His most celebrated works include The Lady Eve, Sullivan’s Travels, The Palm Beach Story, and The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek—all featured on AFI’s list of the 100 funniest American films of all time.