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David Simon Biography

Birth Name:David Judah Simon

Birth Place:Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Profession Writer, Producer, Actor

Fast Facts

  • For "The Wire," he was nominated for an award for individual achievement in drama from the Television Critics Association in 2008
  • Attended the University of Maryland, College Park and wrote for "The Diamondback" until he graduated
  • Inspired by the Washington Post's coverage of Watergate, he became a journalist and worked as a police reporter for The Baltimore Sun, spending a career that stretched over a decade covering the crime beat
  • Began his television writing career as a story editor on the TV series "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1996, which was based on his book, "Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets․"
  • Best known as the creator and executive producer of "Treme" and "The Wire," and writer for "Homicide: Life on the Street․"
  • His realistic, detailed dramas concern the complex social issues surrounding subjects like police departments, the U․S․ Military, politics and the drug trade
  • In 2012, he was the commencement speaker for the Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences
  • Wendel Pierce, who played a character based on a Baltimore Policeman on Simon's "The Wire," went with Simon to the officer's real-life retirement party
  • Made cameo appearances in a number of his shows, including "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "The Wire․"

Awards

  • 1995WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Drama: winner
  • 1999Humanitas Prize-60 Minute Category: winner
  • 1999WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Drama: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: winner
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2001Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original: winner
  • 2003Edgar-Best Television Episode: nominated
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007Banff Rockie Award-Best Continuing Series: nominated
  • 2007Edgar-Best Television Feature/Mini-Series Teleplay: winner
  • 2008Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode of the Year: nominated
  • 2008Humanitas Prize-60 Minute Category: nominated
  • 2008INOCA TV-Best Episode of a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 2008WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Drama: nominated
  • 2008WGA Award (TV)-Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2009BAFTA TV Award-Best International: nominated
  • 2009OFTA Television Award-Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: nominated
  • 2009WGA Award (TV)-Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2009WGA Award (TV)-Long Form - Adaptation: nominated
  • 2010Le Reflet d'Or-Best International Television Series: nominated
  • 2011WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2016Black Reel-Outstanding Original or Adapted Screenplay, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2016USC Scripter Award-Television: winner
  • 2016WGA Award (TV)-Long Form - Adapted: nominated
  • 2018WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
  • 2021USC Scripter Award-Television: nominated
  • 2022HCA Award-Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Movie: nominated