Roman Polanski's Fugitive Status

Roman Polanski is a renowned Polish-French film director, producer, and actor who has made significant contributions to the world of cinema. Born on August 18, 1933, in Paris, France, to a Jewish family of Polish origin, Polanski's early life was marked by tragedy when his parents were killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. He was left an orphan and was eventually adopted by a Polish couple. Polanski's life took a dramatic turn in 1977 when he was arrested and charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, Samantha Geimer, who was 13 years old at the time. The incident occurred during a photo shoot at Jack Nicholson's home. Polanski pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 90 days in prison, but he fled the United States before his sentence was completed, citing concerns about the severity of the sentence and the possibility of being sent to prison for a longer period. Despite his fugitive status, Polanski has continued to work in the film industry, directing and producing numerous critically acclaimed films, including "Tess," "Frantic," and "The Pianist," which won three Academy Awards.