Orson Welles: The revolutionary filmmaker and radio innovator

Orson Welles was a transformative figure in 20th-century culture, leaving a lasting impact on film, theater, and radio. Born in Wisconsin in 1915, he rose to prominence as a director, actor, and innovator.

Welles is most famously recognized as the author of ‘Citizen Kane’, widely considered one of the most influential films in history. His career was marked by a rebellious spirit and a tendency to break traditional conventions.

One of his most legendary moments occurred in 1938 when he directed a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’ for CBS. The broadcast, styled as a realistic news report about a Martian invasion, famously caused widespread confusion and panic among listeners who believed the fictional event was actually occurring.