[2] Citing ill-health, Szwarc is unable to pursue into Mathématiques spéciales, his second year of classes préparatoires in view of gaining entrance at a Grande École d'Ingénieurs[3] and qualify as an engineer.
Contrary to reports, he never studied political science [a], ambitionned a career in diplomacy[b] or attended Harvard University.
In 1962, lured by a career in the film industry, Szwarc abandons the world of advertising after having secured a production assistant role in Stanley Donen's movie Charade, starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, which was shooting in Paris.
In 1964, with no connections, against advice from colleagues, Szwarc leaves Paris for Los Angeles in search of opportunities but professional beginnings in Hollywood are difficult.
[8] During the 1970s, he directs episodes of The Rockford Files, Kojak, Night Gallery, Columbo, The 6 Million Dollar Man, and later, It Takes a Thief, Baretta, Ally McBeal, Heroes, The Practice, JAG, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, Castle, Without a Trace as well as dozens of other series.
His feature films include Bug (1975), Jaws 2 (1978), Somewhere in Time (1980), Supergirl (1984) Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) and Honor Bound.
However, the failure of the last three at the box-office cause him to move to Europe where he directs comedies such as La Vengeance d'une blonde (1994) and Hercule et Sherlock (1996).
[12] Szwarc died from respiratory failure at Centre Hospitalier de Loches, near Tours, France, on 14 January 2025, at the age of 85.