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Lawrence Kasdan Biography

Birth Name:Lawrence Edward Kasdan

Birth Place:Miami, Florida, United States

Profession Writer, Producer, Director, Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Received the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Icon Award
Graduated from the University of Michigan with a master's degree in education
Planned to become an English teacher before working in films
Quote: "I want everything I do to have humor in it, because it seems to me that all of life has that․"
Best known for working on the "Star Wars" franchise
His script for "Continental Divide" was the first to be produced by Steven Spielberg's production company Amblin Entertainment
Originally wrote the screenplay for "The Bodyguard" to star Steve McQueen and Diana Ross
When handing in his script for "Raiders of the Lost Ark," he was immediately given the job to write "Empire Strikes Back" after screenwriter Leigh Brackett's death left director George Lucas without a script in the middle of the film's production

Awards

1981Saturn Award-Best Writing: nominated
1981Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: winner
1981LAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
1981WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
1982Saturn Award-Best Writing: winner
1982Edgar-Best Motion Picture: nominated
1982Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: winner
1982WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1982WGA Award (Screen)-Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1983LAFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1983People's Choice Award-: winner
1984Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1984Saturn Award-Best Writing: nominated
1984DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1984Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
1984Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: winner
1984WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: winner
1985BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
1985Young Venice Award - Special Mention-: winner
1988NYFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
1988NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1989Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
1989Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
1989Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1989Golden St. George-: nominated
1989WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
1990BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: nominated
1990USC Scripter Award-: winner
1991ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
1992Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1992Golden Berlin Bear-: winner
1992Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
1992WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1993Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
1993Razzie Award-Worst Picture: nominated
1995Razzie Award-Worst Picture: nominated
1995Razzie Award-Worst Remake or Sequel: winner
1995Razzie Award-Worst Director: nominated
1995Spur Award-Best Drama Script: winner
1999Golden Seashell-: nominated
1999CEC Award for Best Screenplay-: winner
2015Screenplay Competition-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2016Saturn Award-Best Writing: winner
2016Dragon Award-Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie: nominated
2016Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: nominated
2016Bradbury Award-Outstanding Dramatic Presentation: nominated