# M. Night Shyamalan

> American filmmaker (born 1970)

**Wikidata**: [Q51489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51489)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Night_Shyamalan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/m-night-shyamalan

## Summary
M. Night Shyamalan is an American filmmaker born in 1970. He is best known as the director, writer, and producer of major psychological thriller films, including *The Sixth Sense*, *Unbreakable*, and *Signs*.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 6, 1970
- **Nationality**: United States; India
- **Education**: New York University Tisch School of the Arts; New York University
- **Known for**: Directing, writing, and producing films with psychological themes and plot twists
- **Employer(s)**: Affiliated with New York University Tisch School of the Arts
- **Field(s)**: Film production, film direction, screenwriting

## Contributions
M. Night Shyamalan has created a substantial body of work in the film industry, beginning his professional work period in 1992. He is credited as the creator of the fictional superhero character David Dunn, portrayed by Bruce Willis, which originated in his film *Unbreakable* (2000). His notable works as a director and writer include:
- ***The Sixth Sense*** (1999)
- ***Unbreakable*** (2000)
- ***Signs*** (2002)
- ***The Village*** (2004)
- ***Split*** (2017)
- ***Glass*** (2019)

## FAQs
**What is M. Night Shyamalan's full name?**
His full birth name is Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan. He also uses the alias Manoj Shyamalan.

**What awards has M. Night Shyamalan received?**
He is a recipient of the Great Immigrants Award and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

**What professional organizations is M. Night Shyamalan a member of?**
He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, East.

**What is M. Night Shyamalan's background in education?**
He attended New York University and is affiliated with the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, a performing arts institute in New York City.

## Why They Matter
M. Night Shyamalan matters as a distinct voice in contemporary cinema, recognized for his singular control over the artistic and dramatic aspects of his productions. His work in the thriller and superhero genres, particularly the creation of the "Eastrail 177 Trilogy" (*Unbreakable*, *Split*, *Glass*), offered a grounded, deconstructive approach to superhero mythology that influenced later genre films. His early commercial success with *The Sixth Sense* established him as a prominent director capable of delivering both critical acclaim and box office results, securing his position as a significant figure in the global film industry.

## Notable For
- **Directing Major Films**: Directed *The Sixth Sense* (1999), *Unbreakable* (2000), *Signs* (2002), *The Village* (2004), *Split* (2017), and *Glass* (2019).
- **Creating Characters**: Created the fictional superhero David Dunn.
- **Award Recognition**: Recipient of the Great Immigrants Award and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
- **Multi-Hyphenate Roles**: Credited as a film director, film producer, screenwriter, writer, and actor.
- **Global Identity**: Holds citizenship in both the United States and India.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan was born on August 6, 1970. He pursued higher education in the United States, attending New York University. He is specifically affiliated with the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, a performing arts institute located in New York City, which was established in 1965.

### Career Overview
Shyamalan began his work period in 1992. He operates across multiple disciplines in the entertainment industry, holding credits as a film director, film producer, screenwriter, writer, and actor. He is also credited as a television director and television producer. His professional standing includes membership in the Writers Guild of America, East, a labor union representing film and television writers established in 1933.

### Filmography and Creative Works
Shyamalan's filmography includes several high-profile films where he served as director:
- ***The Sixth Sense*** (1999): A film that significantly raised his profile in the industry.
- ***Unbreakable*** (2000): A film notable for the creation of the character David Dunn, a fictional superhero portrayed by Bruce Willis.
- ***Signs*** (2002): A science fiction thriller.
- ***The Village*** (2004): A period thriller.
- ***Split*** (2017): A psychological horror film.
- ***Glass*** (2019): The sequel to *Unbreakable* and *Split*.

### Awards and Honors
Shyamalan has received recognition for his contributions to arts and culture:
- **Great Immigrants Award**: Issued by the Carnegie Corporation of New York to celebrate immigrant contributions to American life.
- **Pravasi Bharatiya Samman**: An award from India recognizing achievements of the Indian diaspora.

### Identity and Citizenship
Shyamalan holds a unique dual national identity. He is a citizen of the United States (country located primarily in North America) and India (country in South Asia). This dual citizenship reflects his heritage and his status as an immigrant contributing to American life.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. datos.bne.es
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. LUMIERE
6. Deutsche Synchronkartei
7. [Source](https://www.carnegie.org/awards/great-immigrants/2006-great-immigrants/)
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. CiNii Research
10. MusicBrainz
11. SNAC
12. Discogs
13. filmportal.de
14. Munzinger Personen
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2000)
17. CONOR.SI
18. BBC Things
19. Integrated Authority File
20. The Movie Database
21. www.acmi.net.au
22. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
23. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/m-night-shyamalan-107a99qzWj/appearances)