Joel T. Schumacher (1939–2020) was a highly versatile and eclectic American filmmaker whose career spanned over four decades. Before becoming a celebrated director, he studied fashion design and began his industry journey as a costume designer for films such as Woody Allen’s Sleeper. He gained prominence as a director in the 1980s with hits like St. Elmo’s Fire and The Lost Boys, and later took the helm of the Batman franchise with Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. Known for his visual flair and ability to navigate various genres—from gritty thrillers like Falling Down to musical adaptations like The Phantom of the Opera—Schumacher left a lasting impact on Hollywood before passing away from cancer in 2020.