Term: Welles, Orson, 1915-1985

Definition:

director and actor born in Kenosha, Wisconsin; best-known for his radio broadcast of H.G. Wells's "War of the World," which mimicked a newscast of a Martian invasion, causing panic on the eastern seaboard, and for his film, "Citizen Kane," which many consider one the best American films ever made. In 1970, Welles won an Oscar and in 1975 a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. View more information.

View pictures of Orson Welles at Wisconsin Historical Images.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has manuscripts related to this topic. See the catalog description of the Orson Welles Papers for details.