Taylor Hackford is an American film director and producer, best known for his work on movies such as An Officer and a Gentleman and Ray. Born on December 31, 1944, in Santa Barbara, California, he has received several awards throughout his career, including an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Hackford has also directed various other films, including The Devil's Advocate and Dolores Claiborne. In addition to his directing work, he has served as a producer and has been involved in the film industry for several decades, contributing to both independent and mainstream cinema.