Simplify the following text for a Grade 11 native English-speaking person.
Original: Henri Verneuil ( born Ashot Malaqian ) ( 15 October 1920 , Rodosto , Turkey - 11 January 2002 , Bagnolet , France ) was a famous French-Armenian film director , playwright and filmmaker .
Simplified: Henri Verneuil ( 15 October 1920 - 11 January 2002 ) was a French-Armenian playwright and filmmaker , who enjoyed a successful career in France .