Michael Winner was interested in film at an early age, especially writing, which brought him briefly to television. He then moved into directing at age 25, and after a few comedies and vehicles for pop stars, quickly switched to more dramatic films, attaining something of a trade mark for violence - frequently working with Charles Bronson.
More recently he has become better known for his TV appearances and especially commercials in which he often sends himself up. He has written an often controversial column on restaurants for The Sunday Times for many years.
