Originally trained as an actor by Sanford Meisner, between 1952 and 1987 he directed over 31 feature films and made-for-television.

Considered a true "actor's director", he directed seven Oscar-nominated and two Tony Award-winning performances, collaborating with actors like Burt Lancaster, Shirley Booth, Susan Hayward, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Dean Martin and Anthony Quinn.

He was nominated for several accolades, including two Palme d'Or, three Directors Guild of America Awards and a Golden Bear.

Mann was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Helen and Samuel Chugerman, a lawyer.

Most of Mann's films were adaptations from the stage (Come Back Little Sheba, The Rose Tattoo, The Teahouse of the August Moon, Hot Spell) and literature (Butterfield 8, The Last Angry Man).