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Ernest Lehman Biography

Birth Name:Ernest Paul Lehman

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

Profession Writer, Producer, Soundtrack, Director

Fast Facts

Became the first screenwriter to receive an honorary Oscar in 2001
Recipient of an Edgar Award handed out by the Mystery Writers of America in 1960 for his writing for "North by Northwest"
Served as the president of the Writers Guild of America's West division in the mid 1980s
Best known for his collaborative period with Alfred Hitchcock which started in the late '50s, culminating in one of his biggest hits, "North by Northwest"
Worked a wide array of jobs while starting out in the business including radio comedy writer, copywriter for a Broadway publicist and editor of a financial magazine, among others
Reportedly tried to climb Mount Rushmore while writing "North by Northwest", but was convinced to climb down after making it halfway up
Fathered a child with his second wife at age 86

1955Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay: nominated
1955Golden Globe-Best Screenplay: winner
1955WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: winner
1955WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Drama: nominated
1956NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1957WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Musical: winner
1957WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Drama: nominated
1960Oscar-Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1960Edgar-Best Motion Picture: winner
1960WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
1962Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
1962WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Musical: winner
1966WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Musical: winner
1967Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
1967Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
1967Golden Globe-Best Screenplay: nominated
1967WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Drama: winner
1970Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
1977Edgar-Best Motion Picture: winner
1977WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
1978Edgar-Best Motion Picture: nominated