George S. Kaufman Headshot

George S. Kaufman

Date of Death: June 02, 1961 (71)

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Get George S. Kaufman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

George S. Kaufman BIO

George S. Kaufman was an American playwright, director, and producer who was born on November 16, 1889, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was known for his wit and satire, and his work helped shape the American theater in the early 20th century.
Kaufman began his career as a journalist, writing for newspapers and magazines. In 1918, he wrote his first play, "Someone in the House," which was produced on Broadway the following year. He quickly became a prolific playwright, collaborating with other writers such as Edna Ferber, Moss Hart, and Irving Berlin.
One of Kaufman's most famous works is "You Can't Take It With You," which he co-wrote with Moss Hart. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1937 and was adapted into a successful film in 1938. Kaufman also co-wrote the book for the musical "Of Thee I Sing," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1932.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Kaufman was also a successful director and producer. He directed several of his own plays, as well as productions by other writers. He also produced a number of shows, including the original production of "My Fair Lady" in 1956.
Kaufman was known for his sharp wit and his ability to craft clever dialogue. His plays often satirized American society and politics, and he was not afraid to tackle controversial subjects. He was also known for his collaborations with other writers, and many of his most successful works were written with a partner.
Despite his success on Broadway, Kaufman was not immune to failure. He had several plays that were critical and commercial flops, including "The Butter and Egg Man" and "The Land Is Bright." However, he continued to work in the theater throughout his career, and his influence on American drama cannot be overstated.
In addition to his work in the theater, Kaufman also wrote for film and television. He co-wrote the screenplay for the classic film "Animal Crackers" (1930), which starred the Marx Brothers. He also wrote for several television shows in the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Phil Silvers Show" and "Mr. Broadway."
Kaufman was married twice, first to Beatrice Bakrow in 1917, and later to Leueen MacGrath in 1949. He had two children, Anne and Elizabeth, from his first marriage. Kaufman died on June 2, 1961, in New York City at the age of 71.
Overall, George S. Kaufman was a prolific and influential writer, director, and producer who helped shape the American theater in the early 20th century. His wit and satire continue to inspire playwrights today, and his legacy is felt in every corner of the American theater.

George S. Kaufman STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1930
Lawrence Vail

George S. Kaufman Productions

 
[Broadway, 2009]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1953]
Director
 
[West End, 1953]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1952]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1952]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1951]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1949]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1949]
Theatre Operator
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Director
Theatre Owner / Operator
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Director
Director
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Theatre Owner / Operator
 
[Broadway, 1945]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1945]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1944]
Director
Theatre Owner / Operator
 
[Broadway, 1944]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1944]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1943]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1942]
Director
Theatre Manager
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Theatre Operator
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Producer
Director
 
[Broadway, 1940]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1938]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1938]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1937]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1937]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1936]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1936]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1934]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1933]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1933]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1933]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1933]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1932]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1932]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1932]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1932]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1931]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1930]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1930]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1929]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1928]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1926]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Source Material
Additional Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Source Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

George S. Kaufman Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Direction

George S. Kaufman, Guys and Dolls

George S. Kaufman Videos

George S. Kaufman News


Video: Meryl Streep and Martin Short Visit MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Meryl Streep and Martin Short visited Merrily We Roll Along on Saturday night and stopped backstage after the show. Check out video here!

Video: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast Talkback at Rooftop Writers Initiative

Merrily We Roll Along opened doors to the winners of the Rooftop Writers Initiative for a talkback with the Broadway cast, moderated by Benj Pasek. Watch video from the talkback here!

Broadway Buying Guide: February 12, 2024- Get Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE!, SWEENEY TODD, and More

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 12, 2024.

Mallory Bechtel Joins MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Film

Mallory Bechtel has joined the cast of the Merrily We Roll Along film adaptation. The Richard Linklater-directed movie musical stars Paul Mescal as Franklin Shepard, Ben Platt as Charley Kringas, and Beanie Feldstein as Mary Flynn.

Broadway Buying Guide: February 5, 2024- Get Tickets to SWEENEY TODD, HADESTOWN and More

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 5, 2024.

Broadway's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Launches Rooftop Writers Initiative

The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG has announced the Rooftop Writers Initiative, in partnership with the Stephen Sondheim Foundation and American Theatre Wing’s Jonathan Larson Grant.

Video: The Cast of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Perform 'Our Time' in New Music Video

An all new music video has been released for the song 'Our Time' from Merrily We Roll Along, featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. Check out the video here!

Dublin Coffman High School Drama Club Performs YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU Next Week

Dublin Coffman High School (DCHS) Drama Club presents You Can't Take It With You. Performances will run from January 18-20 at 7pm.

Broadway Buying Guide: December 18, 2023

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, December 18, 2023.

Broadway Buying Guide: December 11, 2023

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, December 11, 2023.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Extends Through Summer 2024

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG will extend performances through Sunday, July 7, 2024 at the Hudson Theatre

Broadway Buying Guide: December 4, 2023

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, December 4, 2023.

Video: Original MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast Members Visit the Broadway Revival

The original cast of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG reunited at the Broadway revival. Find out all the details and where you can see this production.

Video: Original MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast Member Ann Morrison Talks Broadway Revival

See what Ann Morrison had to say about the MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG revival opening on Broadway 42 years after she opened in the original in 1981.

MERTON OF THE MOVIES: THE MUSICAL Will Have Private Industry Readings Next Week

Merton of the Movies: The Musical, with music by Gary William Friedman (The Me Nobody Knows, Taking My Turn), lyrics by Stevie Holland (Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter) and Robert Lorick (The Tap Dance Kid), and book by Holland, Lorick and Mel Shapiro (Two Gentlemen of Verona) will have a private industry reading in New York on December 4th.

George S. Kaufman's THE BUTTER AND EGG MAN is Coming to Wisconsin's Arts + Literature Laboratory This Month

A revival of the hilarious Broadway self-parody, The Butter and Egg Man, is coming to Arts + Literature Laboratory on November 28. Don't miss this staged reading filled with behind-the-curtain mayhem and comedy classics.

How Often Do Broadway Flops Return as a Hit?

This time, the reader question was: With Merrily We Roll Along back on Broadway as a hit, how many musicals are flops in their original Broadway production and then return as smashes?

The Entertainment Community Fund Names Dustin H. Chinn as 2023 Mark O'Donnell Prize Winner

The Entertainment Community Fund and Playwrights Horizons have named New York City playwright, Dustin H. Chinn, as the 2023 recipient of The Mark O’Donnell Prize.

Broadway Buying Guide: November 20, 2023

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, November 20, 2023.

George S. Kaufman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

George S. Kaufman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

George S. Kaufman has not appeared in the West End

George S. Kaufman has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction for the Broadway show "Guys and Dolls." Additionally, he has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the Broadway show "Of Thee I Sing."

George S. Kaufman has won several awards throughout his career. He received the Best Direction award at the Tony Awards for his work on "Guys and Dolls." Additionally, he was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play "Of Thee I Sing." These accolades highlight Kaufman's talent and contribution to the world of Broadway.

George S. Kaufman has written 50 shows including The New Meet the People (Additional Material), Some One in the House (Playwright), Dulcy (Playwright), To the Ladies (Playwright), Merton of the Movies (Playwright), Helen of Troy, New York (Bookwriter), Music Box Revue [1923] (Sketches), The Deep Tangled Wildwood (Playwright), Be Yourself (Bookwriter), Minick (Playwright), Beggar on Horseback (Playwright), The Butter and Egg Man (Playwright), The Good Fellow (Playwright), The Cocoanuts (Bookwriter), Strike Up the Band (Bookwriter), The Royal Family (Playwright), Animal Crackers (Bookwriter), The Channel Road (Playwright), Once in a Lifetime (Playwright), The Band Wagon (Bookwriter), Of Thee I Sing (Bookwriter), June Moon (Playwright), Let 'Em Eat Cake (Bookwriter), The Dark Tower (Playwright), Merrily We Roll Along (Playwright), Stage Door (Playwright), I'd Rather Be Right (Bookwriter), Sing Out the News (Sketches), The Fabulous Invalid (Playwright), The American Way (Playwright), The Land Is Bright (Playwright), The Late George Apley (Playwright), Seven Lively Arts (Bookwriter), Hollywood Pinafore (Lyricist), Park Avenue (Bookwriter), Bravo! (Playwright), The Small Hours (Playwright), Fancy Meeting You Again (Playwright), First Lady (Playwright), The Solid Gold Cadillac (Playwright), Silk Stockings (Bookwriter), You Can't Take It With You (Playwright), Sherry! (Source Material), Merrily We Roll Along (Source Material), The Cocoanuts (Bookwriter), June Moon (Playwright), Once in a Lifetime (Playwright), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Playwright), The Butter and Egg Man (Playwright), Dinner At Eight (Playwright).

Get George S. Kaufman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos