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Neil Simon Biography

Birth Name:Marvin Neil Simon

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Writer, Producer, Actor, Soundtrack, Camera department

Fast Facts

  • In addition to his Tony Award for "Lost in Yonkers," he won a Pulitzer Prize for the Play
  • Grew up in an unstable family during the Great Depression and used movies and writing as escape mechanisms, as well as inspirations for his future career
  • Writes about relatable, everyday people who are struggling to find belonging amid difficulties in marriage, friendship or business
  • Combines drama with comedy, using witty dialogue and situational humor within believable scenarios
  • Enjoys playing tennis and practiced Shaolin Qi Gong with Shaolin Warrior Monk Shi Yan Fan
  • Became the only living playwright to have a New York theatre named after him in 1983

Awards

  • 1957Primetime Emmy-Best Comedy Writing - Variety or Situation Comedy: nominated
  • 1958Primetime Emmy-Best Comedy Writing: nominated
  • 1968WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
  • 1969Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1969WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: winner
  • 1971WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: winner
  • 1973Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1973WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1976Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material: nominated
  • 1976Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1976WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1976WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: winner
  • 1977BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1977WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1978Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: winner
  • 1978WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1979Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1979BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1979WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated