Born in Pasadena, California. A former car-racing driver, he entered films in 1910 as assistant cameraman and worked on many of Allan Dwan's films from 1911. A director of photography at Triangle from 1915, he frequently worked under the supervision of D. W. Griffith. He was the cameraman on several Douglas Fairbanks vehicles under Dwan's direction. Upon America's entry into WW I, he joined the intelligence bureau's photography section and later accompanied President Wilson to Europe as chief cameraman. Returning to Hollywood in 1919, making his debut with two Fairbanks films, he became a director. Fleming did not achieve among critics a reputation as one of Hollywood's great directors, but he proved himself frequently capable of obtaining solid performances from actors and of turning out an elegant and entertaining product, and was especially adept at handling masculine action adventures. Some of his MGM films of the 30s are particularly engaging, notably BOMBSHELL (1933), TREASURE ISLAND (1934), RECKLESS (1935), CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS (1937), and the perennially popular THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939). He directed TEST PILOT (1938), DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1941), TORTILLA FLAT (1942) and A GUY NAMED JOE (1943). He is also the accredited director of GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), for which he won the Academy Award, but so many people collaborated on this monumental production that it is difficult to determine responsibility for either its virtues or its faults. His last two films, ADVENTURE (1945) and JOAN OF ARC (1948), were notable failures.  Directing 1939: GONE WITH THE WIND 1 nomination, 1 Award