The term 'On the Waterfront Director' refers to Elia Kazan, a Greek-American director, producer, writer, and actor. He is best known for his work on the 1954 film On the Waterfront, which won eight Academy Awards. Kazan was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1909 and immigrated to the United States in 1923. He began his career as an actor in the 1930s and eventually transitioned to directing in the 1940s. He was nominated for four Academy Awards and won two for Best Director.