Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he studied music at Yale University, graduating in 1943. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a cargo pilot during World War II and a night fighter pilot during the Korean War.

Hill got his start on television, directing such episodic series as Kraft Television Theatre. His first films were versions of such Broadway plays as Period of Adjustment in 1962 and Toys in the Attic.

George Roy Hill is most noted for directing such films as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. Other films are Slaughterhouse-Five, The World According to Garp, The World of Henry Orient, Hawaii, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Great Waldo Pepper, Slap Shot and The Little Drummer Girl.