Mr. Kazan is the professional name of Elia Kazan, an American film director, producer, writer and actor. He was a major figure in Hollywood's Golden Age, directing such classics as 'On the Waterfront' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. He was also known for his political activism, having been a member of the Communist Party in the 1930s before becoming an informer for the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s.