Eugene O'Neill Headshot

Eugene O'Neill

Date of Death: November 27, 1953 (65)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Eugene O'Neill BIO

Eugene O'Neill was an American playwright who is widely considered to be one of the greatest dramatists in American history. Born in 1888 in New York City, O'Neill grew up in a family of actors and spent much of his childhood on the road with his father's theater company. Despite this early exposure to the world of theater, O'Neill initially pursued a career as a sailor and spent several years at sea before returning to the stage.
O'Neill's early plays were heavily influenced by the naturalistic style of European playwrights such as Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg. His first major success came with the production of "Beyond the Horizon" in 1920, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Over the next two decades, O'Neill continued to write groundbreaking plays that explored themes of addiction, family dysfunction, and the search for meaning in a world that often seemed cruel and indifferent.
Some of O'Neill's most famous works include "The Iceman Cometh," "Long Day's Journey Into Night," and "A Moon for the Misbegotten." These plays are notable for their complex characters, poetic language, and unflinching examination of the human condition. O'Neill's work was also notable for its willingness to tackle taboo subjects such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental illness.
In addition to his work as a playwright, O'Neill was also a prolific writer of prose. His autobiographical works, including "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and "A Moon for the Misbegotten," are widely regarded as some of the finest examples of American literature.
Despite his success as a playwright, O'Neill's personal life was marked by tragedy. He struggled with alcoholism and depression throughout his life, and several of his family members suffered from mental illness. O'Neill's second wife, Agnes Boulton, was also a writer, but their marriage was fraught with conflict and ended in divorce.
O'Neill's health began to decline in the 1940s, and he was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder that made it difficult for him to write. He continued to work, however, and in 1956 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his contributions to the theater.
Eugene O'Neill died in 1953 at the age of 65. His legacy as one of America's greatest playwrights endures, and his work continues to be produced and studied around the world. In recent years, several of his plays have been adapted for film and television, including a 2016 production of "Long Day's Journey Into Night" starring Jessica Lange and Gabriel Byrne.

Eugene O'Neill Photos

Eugene O'Neill Productions

 
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Eugene O'Neill Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Eugene O'Neill, Long Day's Journey Into Night

Drama League Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Eugene O'Neill, The Iceman Cometh


winner
Olivier Awards - 2004 - Best Revival

Eugene O'NeillMourning Becomes Electra


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Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Revival - Play

Eugene O'Neill, A Moon for the Misbegotten

Tony Awards - 1959 - Best Play

Eugene O'Neill, A Touch of the Poet


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1957 - Best American Play

Eugene O'Neill, Long Day's Journey into Night


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The Pulitzer Prize - 1957 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Eugene O'Neill, Long Day's Journey Into Night


winner
Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Play

Eugene O'Neill, Long Day's Journey Into Night

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1947 - Best American Play

Eugene O'Neill, The Iceman Cometh


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The Pulitzer Prize - 1928 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Eugene O'Neill, Strange Interlude


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The Pulitzer Prize - 1922 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Eugene O'Neill, Anna Christie


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The Pulitzer Prize - 1920 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Eugene O'Neill, Beyond the Horizon

Eugene O'Neill Videos

Eugene O'Neill News


Review Roundup: Did Brian Cox Impress in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT?


The Emmy, Golden Globe and Olivier award-winning actor Brian Cox, has made his return to the London stage in Jeremy Herrin’s new production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

Review: LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, Wyndham's Theatre


Eugene O'Neill's classic play of family strife has had regular revivals in London (most recently in 2018 and 2012). Set in 1912 and published posthumously in 1956, it remains one of the great American plays. Brian Cox returns to the London stage as James Tyrone, actor, family colossus, and flawed man, in a mesmerising performance.

Photos: First Look at LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT


All new production photos have been released for the new staging of Eugene O’Neill’s autobiographical magnum opus, Long Day’s Journey into Night directed by Jeremy Herrin. Check out the photos here!

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT at Wyndham's Theatre


All new rehearsal photos have been released for the new production of Eugene O’Neill’s  Long Day’s Journey into Night directed by Jeremy Herrin. Check out the photos here!

Lyric Stage Boston Presents Eugene O'Neill's THIRST


Lyric Stage Boston presents Thirst, playwright Ronán Noone’s captivating and compelling look into the Irish immigrant experience and the struggles in building a meaningful life in a new world.

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Names Melia Bensussen Artistic Director of National Playwrights Conference


Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has revealed that Melia Bensussen will be taking the reins of its flagship program, the National Playwrights Conference.

Eugene O'neill Theater Center is Accepting Applications For The 2024 National Puppetry Conference


The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is now accepting applications for the 2024 National Puppetry Conference. Applications may be submitted until Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 11:59pm PT.

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is Accepting Applications For The 2024 Young Playwrights Festival


 The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is now accepting applications for the 2024 Young Playwrights Festival, which will be held on its campus from May 17-19, 2024. The application will remain open until Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11:59pm PST.

Review Roundup: APPROPRIATE Opens On Broadway Starring Sarah Paulson, Elle Fanning, Corey Stoll & More


Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate, directed by Lila Neugebauer, opens on Broadway tonight in a production from Second Stage Theater. The show's star-studded cast includes Emmy-winner Sarah Paulson, Corey Stoll, Elle Fanning and more! Read the reviews!

Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Opens Applications For National Critics Institute Program


The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has opened applications for writers and critics for its annual National Critics Institute program. Learn more about how to apply here!

Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards


Last night, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center presented the 22nd Monte Cristo Award to award-winning playwright and screenwriter Lynn Nottage.  Check out photos here!

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Receives $138,595 Grant for Rehabilitation of Monte Cristo Cottage


he Eugene O'Neill Theater Center has been awarded a $138,595 grant from the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program for the rehabilitation of Monte Cristo Cottage, Eugene O'Neill's Boyhood Home in New London. Learn more about the project and how it aims to preserve this important landmark for future generations.

Lynn Nottage to be Honored at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 22nd Monte Cristo Award Gala


The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will present the 22nd Monte Cristo Award to award-winning playwright and screenwriter Lynn Nottage. 

ALMOST FAMOUS Headed Back into Workshops at the O'Neill


Discover the news about Eugene O’Neill Theater Center hosting a workshop residency for the Tony-nominated musical Almost Famous.

Flashback: Backstage at THE BOOK OF MORMON with Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells


In this video, watch as we flashback to 2011, when Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells chatted with their castmates Rory O'Malley and Nikki M. James backstage at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

Provincetown's Fine Arts Work Center Reveals 2023-24 Fellows


Twenty writers and visual artists from eight countries have been selected for the Fine Arts Work Center’s 2023-24 Fellowship program and will spend seven months in the town that inspired generations of creative luminaries like Eugene O’Neill, Jackson Pollock, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Learn more about the fellows here!

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is Accepting Applications For the 2024 National Playwrights Conference


The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is now accepting applications for the 2024 National Playwrights Conference. Learn more about how to submit here!

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center To Develop Brittany Fisher's Your Regularly Scheduled Programming


The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will welcome Brittany Fisher to campus this September to develop her new play, Your Regularly Scheduled Programming. The script was originally selected for the 2022 National Playwrights Conference, and the O'Neill is thrilled to have this piece on its Waterford campus.

Erika Henningsen, Kyle Selig, Jane Bruce and More Join THE DARK LADY at The 2023 National Music Theatre Conference


The musical The Dark Lady (with book and lyrics by Sophie Boyce and music by Veronica Mansour) is being developed at The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, as part of their 2023 National Music Theater Conference.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center To Name Farmhouse Residence For Skip Mercier


The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announced today that it would rename its historic Farmhouse Residence after longtime scenic designer and educator, Skip Mercier, late of Rowayton, CT.  Mercier died of pancreatic cancer on March 11th, 2021. 

Eugene O'Neill FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Eugene O'Neill written?

Eugene O'Neill has written 40 shows including In The Zone (Playwright), Beyond the Horizon (Playwright), The Emperor Jones (Playwright), Diff'rent (Playwright), Gold (Playwright), The Straw (Playwright), The First Man (Playwright), The Hairy Ape (Playwright), Welded (Playwright), Desire Under the Elms (Playwright), Ile (Playwright), The Fountain (Playwright), The Great God Brown (Playwright), Strange Interlude (Playwright), Where the Cross Is Made (Playwright), The Dreamy Kid (Playwright), S. S. Glencairn (Playwright), Dynamo (Playwright), Marco Millions (Playwright), Mourning Becomes Electra (Playwright), Days Without End (Playwright), New Girl in Town (Source Material), Take Me Along (Source Material), Diff'rent (Playwright), The Long Voyage Home (Playwright), Desire Under the Elms (Playwright), Hughie (Playwright), More Stately Mansions (Playwright), All God's Chillun Got Wings (Playwright), Long Day's Journey Into Night / Ah, Wilderness! (Playwright), Ah, Wilderness! (Playwright), Anna Christie (Playwright), The Hairy Ape (Playwright), More Stately Mansions (Playwright), The Iceman Cometh (Playwright), Long Day's Journey Into Night (Playwright), A Touch of the Poet (Playwright), Anna Christie (Source Material), A Moon for the Misbegotten (Playwright), Mourning Becomes Electra (Playwright).

What awards has Eugene O'Neill been nominated for?

Eugene O'Neill has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play (Drama League Awards) for "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and "The Iceman Cometh," Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for "Mourning Becomes Electra," Outstanding Revival - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "A Moon for the Misbegotten," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "A Touch of the Poet" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night," Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "The Iceman Cometh," and The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Long Day's Journey Into Night," "Strange Interlude," "Anna Christie," and "Beyond the Horizon."

What awards has Eugene O'Neill won?

Eugene O'Neill has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for "Mourning Becomes Electra," Outstanding Revival - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "A Moon for the Misbegotten," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Long Day's Journey into Night," the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Long Day's Journey Into Night," the Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Long Day's Journey Into Night," and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Strange Interlude," "Anna Christie," and "Beyond the Horizon."

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