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David Mamet

Birth Place: Chicago, IL, USA

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David Mamet BIO

David Mamet is a prolific playwright, screenwriter, and director known for his distinct style and sharp dialogue. Born in Chicago in 1947, Mamet began his career as a playwright in the 1970s, quickly gaining a reputation for his gritty, realistic portrayals of working-class characters.


Mamet's breakthrough came in 1976 with his play "American Buffalo," which premiered at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago before moving to Broadway the following year. The play, which follows a group of small-time crooks planning a heist, was praised for its raw, naturalistic dialogue and won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play.
In the years that followed, Mamet continued to write plays that explored the darker corners of American society, including "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1984), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and "Oleanna" (1992), a controversial play about sexual harassment on college campuses.
Mamet also found success as a screenwriter, penning scripts for films such as "The Verdict" (1982), "The Untouchables" (1987), and "Wag the Dog" (1997). His screenplay for "The Untouchables" earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In addition to his work in theater and film, Mamet has also written several novels and worked as a director for both stage and screen. He made his directorial debut with the film "House of Games" (1987) and has since directed several other films, including "The Spanish Prisoner" (1997) and "Redbelt" (2008).
Mamet's most recent work includes the play "The Penitent," which premiered Off-Broadway in 2017. The play, which centers on a psychiatrist who refuses to testify in a court case, explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of truth.

David Mamet Photos

David Mamet Productions

 
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[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Adaptation
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
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Writing

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David Mamet Movies

A Life in the Theatre
[ 1979 ] Writer
The Postman Always Rings Twice
[ 1981 ] Writer
The Verdict
[ 1982 ] Writer
About Last Night...
[ 1986 ]
Black Widow
[ 1987 ] Herb
The Untouchables
[ 1987 ] Writer
House of Games
[ 1987 ] Writer
Things Change
[ 1988 ] Writer
We're No Angels
[ 1989 ] Writer
Homicide
[ 1991 ] Writer
The Water Engine
[ 1992 ] Writer
Glengarry Glen Ross
[ 1992 ] Writer
Hoffa
[ 1992 ] Writer
Oleanna
[ 1994 ] Writer
Vanya on 42nd Street
[ 1994 ] Writer
Texan
[ 1994 ] Writer
American Buffalo
[ 1996 ]
Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants
[ 1996 ]
Wag the Dog
[ 1997 ] Writer
The Spanish Prisoner
[ 1997 ] Writer
The Edge
[ 1997 ] Writer
Frogs for Snakes
[ 1998 ]
Lansky
[ 1999 ] Writer
The Winslow Boy
[ 1999 ] Writer
State and Main
[ 2000 ] Writer
Heist
[ 2001 ] Writer
Hannibal
[ 2001 ] Writer
Spartan
[ 2004 ] Writer
Edmond
[ 2005 ] Writer
Redbelt
[ 2008 ] writer/director
Choke
[ 2008 ]
Detective Cook and Ashby
[ 2010 ]
Phil Spector
[ 2013 ] Writer
About Last Night
[ 2014 ]
Knight of Cups
[ 2015 ]

David Mamet TV Shows

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
David
The Unit
[ 2006-2009 ] Creator
The Simpsons
David Mamet

David Mamet Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best New Comedy

David MametBoston Marriage

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding One Person Show

David Mamet, The Cryptogram

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Play

David Mamet, The Cryptogram


winner
Obie Awards - 1995 - Best Play

David Mamet, Cryptogram

The Pulitzer Prize - 1995 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Mamet, The Cryptogram

The Pulitzer Prize - 1995 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Mamet, The Cryptogram

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding New Play

David Mamet, Oleanna

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding New Play

David Mamet, Speed the Plow

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Play

David Mamet, Speed-the-Plow

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Play

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best American Play

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1984 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Play

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Play

David MametEdmund


winner
Olivier Awards - 1983 - Play of the Year

David MametGlengarry Glen Ross

Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Best New Play

David Mamet, The Water Engine

Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Best New American Play

David Mamet, American Buffalo


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1977 - Best American Play

David Mamet, American Buffalo


winner
Obie Awards - 1976 - Best New American Play

David Mamet, American Buffalo


winner
Obie Awards - 1976 - Best New American Play

David Mamet, Sexual Perversity in Chicago

David Mamet Videos

David Mamet News


Wayne Brady Joins Cast of David Mamet-Written Feature THE PRINCE

Actor and Broadway performer Wayne Brady is among the latest to join Nicolas Cage, J.K. Simmons, Giancarlo Esposito, and Andy Garcia in The Prince, written by David Mamet. Directed by Cameron Van Hoy, the movie 'chronicles an addict’s tumultuous odyssey through the highstakes world of power, pleasure, and pain on a transformative journey toward recovery.'
Patti LuPone: A LIFE IN NOTES Album Will Be Released This Week

Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes will be released digitally on July 19, and on CD on August 30, from Center Stage Records. Her first new studio album since 2006, the Grammy Award winner’s new double album can be pre-ordered now.
BREAKING THE AUDIO FICTION FORM: AN EVENING WITH VETERAN PRODUCER JULIAN SCHLOSSBERG Comes to The Coffee House Club

The Coffee House Club will bring the salon series, Breaking the Audio Fiction Form. The past decade has seen a resurgence of audio listening in podcast form, but even with this growth, audio fiction has remained a minor genre within podcasting.
Further Casting Set For New West End Production of WAITING FOR GODOT

Further casting has been announced for the new production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, directed by James Macdonald. Learn more about the cast here!
Review: ALMA MATER, Almeida Theatre

Alma Mater is the byproduct of fourth-wave feminism, with faint echoes of David Mamet’s Oleanna flipped on its head and delivered with a sleight of hand. Polly Findlay is back at the Almeida to direct Kendall Feaver’s world premiere, which finally officially opens after a troubled start. The withdrawal of Lia Williams, who was initially due to take on Jo, doesn’t seem to hinder this unforgiving production, with Justine Mitchell taking over with an assured stance.
The Drama Book Shop Unveils Summer Reading Events In July And August

The Drama Book Shop will host a series of live events featuring Broadway and Off-Broadway guests. Learn more and see how to attend!
Actors Theatre of Indiana Teams Up with Carmel Symphony Orchestra For July 3 Event at Coxhall Gardens

 Actors Theatre of Indiana is joining forces once again with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. Bring your friends and family and join ATI and CSO on July 3 as they celebrate our independence in the best way – with live music! This event, set at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, is a great way to jumpstart your holiday celebration.  
Two World Premieres Set for WP Theater 2024-25 Season

WP Theater has revealed their 2024-25 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
25 Theater Books for Your Summer 2024 Reading List

From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 25 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Summer 2024 reading list.
A TERRIBLE SHOW FOR TERRIBLE PEOPLE Embarks on Summer UK Tour

A Terrible Show for Terrible People is a raunchy, feminist physical theatre clown show celebrating female sexuality. This interactive performance takes the audience on a flirtatious journey from death to rebirth.
David Mamet to Pen Feature Drama THE PRINCE Starring Scott Haze, Nicolas Cage & More

Playwright David Mamet has written the screenplay for a new feature drama called The Prince. The description reveals that the film 'chronicles an addict’s tumultuous odyssey through the highstakes world of power, pleasure, and pain on a transformative journey toward recovery.'
Cape Cod Theatre Project Announces 30th Season of Plays

The Cape Cod Theatre Project has announced its 30th Season of New Plays, running weekend nights in July from July 5 through July 28 at Falmouth Academy's Simon Center for the Arts.
Ariana DeBose, Alan Cumming, Darren Criss, Shoshana Bean, & Aaron Lazar Headline BROADWAY AND VINE Concerts

Broadway and Vine kicks off its 2024 season on July 9 and 10 at 7:30PM, with Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose at Carneros Resort Vineyard Lawn.
New Mexico Actors Lab To Present THE NICETIES And OLEANNA In Repertory

New Mexico Actors Lab opens its 2024 season with plays, THE NICETIES and OLEANNA, presented in rotating repertory from May 23 to June 16 in Santa Fe.
ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO To Open In Chicago In September

Toughest Man Productions and producers Lecy Goranson and Beth Kligerman have announced the world premiere of Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago at Chopin Theatre.
Review: PROBLEMS BETWEEN SISTERS at Studio Theatre

The submerged and, often, long-sublimated divisions and resentments and life motifs of two estranged sisters come to the fore in the visceral and joltingly immersive play entitled Problems Between Sisters. The domestic squabbles of siblings have long been given ample space in plays, films, and novels but, in this fine Studio Theatre production, the playwright Julia May Jonas delves into a feminist mirroring and elucidation of themes from playwright Sam Shepard’s well-known play True West. In this intriguing play, the battling brothers become two sisters, California becomes Vermont and screenwriting becomes visual and performance art.
New Mexico Actors Lab To Open 2024 With THE NICETIES and OLEANNA

New Mexico Actors Lab will open its 2024 season with a pair of thought-provoking, controversial two-character plays, Eleanor Burgess' The Niceties and David Mamet's Oleanna.
FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSE Memoir Of A Broadway Theatre Manager, To Be Published In June

Dan Landon was a Broadway theatre manager for nearly 40 years, working on more than 9000 performances of 50 shows. He has written his memoir, From the Back of the House, which will be published by Ibis Books on June 13, 2024.
Patti LuPone Brings A LIFE IN NOTES to NJPAC in February

3x Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will bring her latest show, A Life In Notes to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Patti LuPone Brings Her New Show A LIFE IN NOTES to NJPAC in Newark, N.J.

Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will bring her latest show, A Life In Notes to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. In her new concert, Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes, the three-time Tony Award winner performs an array of songs that are touchstones and reflections on her life growing up in America. Find ticketing information here!

David Mamet FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has David Mamet written?

David Mamet has written 29 shows including A Life in the Theatre (Playwright), The Water Engine (Playwright), Duck Variations (Playwright), The Woods (Playwright), Prairie du Chien and The Shawl (Playwright), Orchards (Adaptation), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), Bobby Gould in Hell (Playwright), Reunion (Playwright), Oleanna (Playwright), Death Defying Acts (Playwright), The Cryptogram (Playwright), Edmond (Playwright), The Old Neighborhood (Playwright), The Water Engine/Mr. Happiness (Playwright), Sexual Perversity in Chicago-The Duck Variations (Author), Boston Marriage (Playwright), Romance (Playwright), Glengarry Glen Ross (Playwright), The Voysey Inheritance (Adaptation), November (Playwright), Speed-The-Plow (Playwright), American Buffalo (Playwright), Two Unrelated Plays by David Mamet: Keep Your Pantheon and School (Playwright), Oleanna (Playwright), Race (Playwright), China Doll (Author), The Penitent (Playwright), Bitter Wheat (Okaywright).

What awards has David Mamet been nominated for?

David Mamet has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards for "Boston Marriage," Outstanding One Person Show at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Cryptogram," Best Play at the Obie Awards for "Cryptogram," and The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "The Cryptogram" and "Glengarry Glen Ross." Mamet also received nominations for Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Oleanna" and "Speed the Plow," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Speed-the-Plow," Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "Edmund," Play of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Glengarry Glen Ross," Best New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Water Engine," Best New American Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "American Buffalo," and Best New American Play at the Obie Awards for "American Buffalo" and "Sexual Perversity in Chicago."

What awards has David Mamet won?

David Mamet has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Best Play (Obie Awards) for Cryptogram, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Glengarry Glen Ross, Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for American Buffalo, Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for American Buffalo, and Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

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