At 32 years and 38 days, Damien Chazelle became the youngest to win the Oscar for Best Director.  He won the trophy for La La Land, a musical, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. 

Damien started out as the favorite, though he had commendable and strong competition from Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea) and Barry Jenkins (Moonlight).  The earlier record for youngest Director was untouched for 86 years, since when it was held by Norman Taurog who was 32 years and 260 days when he won the Oscar for Skippy in 1931.

Having Directed Guy and Madeline on Park Bench in 2009 and then Whiplash in 2014, La La Land was Damien’s third Directorial venture.  Both his earlier films were acclaimed by the fraternity, when Whiplash…won two major awards at the Sundance film festival and three Oscars, including one for best supporting actor for JK Simmons.

La La Land, which is a musical set around two wannabe stars in Hollywood, has already bought Damien many more accolades – the Best Director at Golden Globes, Baftas and the Directors Guild of America.

Image Courtesy|alberto e rodriguez / getty images & La Land Movie Official Website