George S. Kaufman
George Simon Kaufman (November 16, 1889 – June 2, 1961) was an American playwright, theater director and producer, humorist, and drama critic. In addition to comedies and political satire, he wrote several musicals for the Marx Brothers and others. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the musical Of Thee I Sing (with Morrie Ryskind and Ira Gershwin) in 1932, and won again in 1937 for the play You Can't Take It with You (with Moss Hart). He also won the Tony Award for Best Director in 1951 for the musical Guys and Dolls.
George S. Kaufman
George Simon Kaufman
November 16, 1889
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
June 2, 1961 (aged 71)
New York City, US
- Playwright
- theatre director
- theatre producer/manager
- theatre performer
- humorist
- drama critic
Comedy, political satire
Early years[edit]
George S. Kaufman was born to Joseph S. Kaufman, a hatband manufacturer,[1] and Nettie Meyers[2] in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He had a younger sister, Ruth.[1] His other sister was Helen, nicknamed "Helse". Kaufman's family was Jewish. He graduated from high school in 1907 and studied law for three months. He grew disenchanted and took on a series of odd jobs,[3] selling silk[1] and working in wholesale ribbon sales.[4]
Portrayals[edit]
Kaufman was portrayed by the actor David Thornton in the 1994 film Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle[46] and by Jason Robards in the 1963 film Act One. In the 2014 Broadway adaptation of the latter by James Lapine, he was played by Tony Shalhoub.
The title character of the 1991 Coen brothers film Barton Fink, who is a playwright, bears a strong physical resemblance to Kaufman.[47]
Kaufman is portrayed in the film Mank by actor Adam Shapiro.[48]