David Hackford

David Hackford (born May 23, 1945) is an American film director and former president of the Directors Guild of America (DGA). He is known for directing films across various genres, including romance, drama, thriller, and action.

Hackford's career began in television, working for KCET in Los Angeles. His early directing credits include documentaries and television series episodes. He gained wider recognition for his feature films, which often explored complex characters and relationships within compelling narratives.

Some of Hackford's notable directorial works include Against All Odds (1984), White Nights (1985), Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987), Dolores Claiborne (1995), The Devil's Advocate (1997), Proof of Life (2000), and Ray (2004). Ray, a biographical film about the life of musician Ray Charles, earned Hackford an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

Hackford has been actively involved in the Directors Guild of America, serving as its president from 2009 to 2013. His contributions to the film industry extend beyond directing, encompassing efforts to support and represent the interests of directors. He is married to actress Helen Mirren.