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Neil Simon Biography

Birth Name:
Marvin Neil Simon
Birth Place:
New York, New York, United States
Profession
Playwright, screenwriter, producer

Fast Facts

  • Broke into television as a writer for the DuMont Network's Cavalcade of Stars in 1949
  • The Odd Couple is based on the experiences of his older brother Danny, a TV-comedy writer, who began work on the play and then allowed Neil to finish it
  • In 1966-67, had four plays (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Sweet Charity and The Star Spangled Girl) running simultaneously on Broadway
  • Won a 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Lost in Yonkers
  • In 1983, the Alvin Theatre on Broadway was renamed the Neil Simon Theatre
  • Received the Kennedy Center Honors Award in 1995 and the Mark Twain Prize in 2006

Awards

  • 2001Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
  • 1992Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1979BAFTA Film Awards-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1979Writers Guild Awards-Adapted Comedy: nominated
  • 1978Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: nominated
  • 1978Oscar-Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium): nominated
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: winner
  • 1977Oscar-Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen--based on factual material or on story material not previously published or produced): nominated
  • 1977Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: nominated
  • 1977BAFTA Film Awards-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1976Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1976Writers Guild Awards-Adapted Comedy: winner
  • 1975Oscar-Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): nominated
  • 1973Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1973Writers Guild Awards-Adapted Comedy: nominated
  • 1971Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: winner
  • 1969Writers Guild Awards-Comedy: winner
  • 1968Oscar-Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium): nominated
  • 1968Writers Guild Awards-Comedy: nominated
  • 1958Emmy-Best Comedy Writing: nominated
  • 1957Emmy-Best Comedy Writing - Variety or Situation Comedy: nominated

Relationships