Born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, on January 1, 1930, he graduated from Yale Law School in 1954. In 1963, he produced his first feature film, "The Cool World". In 1967, he directed "Titicut Follies", his directorial debut documentary, beginning a prolific career focused on studies of social institutions. Wiseman is renowned for his observational style, free of narration or added music. He has directed and produced over forty films, including "High School" (1968), "Hospital" (1970), "Welfare" (1975), "Central Park" (1989), "La Danse - The Paris Opera Ballet" (2009), "National Gallery" (2014), "Ex Libris - The New York Public Library" (2017), and "City Hall" (2020). He has received numerous accolades, including four Emmys, an Honorary Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2014, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2016.