 alexander payne (born constantine alexander payne; february 10, 1961) is an american film director, screenwriter, and producer, known for the films citizen ruth (1996), election (1999), about schmidt (2002), sideways (2004), the descendants (2011), and nebraska (2013). his films are noted for their dark humor and satirical depictions of contemporary american society. payne is a two time winner of the academy award for best adapted screenplay, and a three time nominee of the academy award for best director. ==early life== payne was born in omaha, nebraska, the son of peggy (nÃ©e constantine) and george payne, restaurant owners. payne is the youngest of three sons and grew up in what is now known as the dundee-happy hollow historic district, the same neighborhood as billionaire warren buffett. his father is of greek and german descent, and his mother is of greek ancestry.{{cite web|last=papapostolou|first=anastasio
1961_births American_film_directors American_film_producers American_people_of_German_descent American_people_of_Greek_descent American_screenwriters American_writers_of_Greek_descent BAFTA_winners_(people) Best_Adapted_Screenplay_Academy_Award_winners Best_Screenplay_Golden_Globe_winners Entertainers_from_Nebraska Golden_Globe_Award_winning_producers Greek-American_culture_in_Omaha,_Nebraska Independent_Spirit_Award_for_Best_Director_winners Living_people People_from_Omaha,_Nebraska Stanford_University_alumni UCLA_Film_School_alumni University_of_California,_Los_Angeles_alumni Writers_Guild_of_America_Award_winners Writers_from_Nebraska