Moss Hart Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for two Writers Guild of America Awards for Best Written American Musical for "Hans Christian Andersen" in 1953 and for "A Star Is Born" in 1955
• Won a Pulitzer Prize for his work on "You Can't Take It With You" in 1936
• Started out as a recreations director in the Catskills and also worked as an actor
• Quote: "There is no point whatever in writing or reading a book of theatrical reminiscences if either the writer or the reader is to be hampered by incredulity, an aversion to melodrama, or even the somewhat foolish glow of the incorrigibly stage-struck․"
• Best known as a playwright and theater director who wrote "You Can't Take It With You," "A Star Is Born," and "Gentleman's Agreement․"
• Often worked with George S․ Kaufman, writing "Once in a Lifetime" in 1930, "Merrily We Roll Along" in 1934, and "You Can't Take It With You" in 1936
• Directed many of his own plays and also directed productions of "Anniversary Waltz" and "My Fair Lady․"
• Wrote his memoir "Act One" in 1959, which was later adapted as a film starring George Hamilton in 1963