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Harold Pinter Biography

Birth Name:Harold Pinter

Birth Place:London, England, United Kingdom

Profession Writer, Actor, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005 for his contributions to literature
  • Recipient of France's Legion d'honneur distinction in 2007
  • Studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before leaving early to train at the Central School of Speech and Drama
  • Despite being diagnosed with cancer in 2001, he would continue to act until his death in 2008
  • Quote: "I've never been able to write a film which I didn't respect․ I just can't do it․ I'm very happy about all the films I haven't done․"
  • Would go on to write for more than 50 years, later setting his sights on the direction of stage productions and film
  • Officially became a playwright in 1957 with "The Room" and "The Birthday Party", both of which closed prematurely but were praised by critics
  • Fined for being a conscientious objector for refusing to serve in the National Service

Awards

  • 1964BAFTA Film Award-Best British Screenplay: nominated
  • 1964NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1964Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award-Best British Original Teleplay: winner
  • 1964Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award-Best British Dramatic Screenplay: winner
  • 1965BAFTA Film Award-Best British Screenplay: winner
  • 1967BAFTA Film Award-Best British Screenplay: nominated
  • 1967Edgar-Best Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1968BAFTA Film Award-Best British Screenplay: nominated
  • 1968Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award-Best British Screenplay: nominated
  • 1968Merit Scroll-Best British Screenplay: winner
  • 1972BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1972Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award-Best British Screenplay: winner
  • 1976NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1976NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1982Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1982BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1982David-Best Foreign Screenplay (Migliore Sceneggiatura Straniera): winner
  • 1982Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1984Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1984BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: nominated
  • 2008Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Screenplay: nominated