Lillian Hellman
Lillian was born in New Orleans, grew up in New Orleans and New York City and attended New York University and Columbia. Her career as a playwright began in 1934 with The Children's Hour, the first of several plays that would bring her international attention and praise, among them The Little Foxes, Watch on the Rhine, Another Part of the Forest, The Autumn Garden and Toys in the Attic.
Date of Birth: June 20, 1905
Date of Death: June 30, 1984 (79)
Birth Place: New Orleans, LA, USA
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BIO
Lillian was born in New Orleans, grew up in New Orleans and New York City and attended New York University and Columbia. Her career as a playwright began in 1934 with The Children's Hour, the first of several plays that would bring her international attention and praise, among them The Little Foxes, Watch on the Rhine, Another Part of the Forest, The Autumn Garden and Toys in the Attic. Hellman was twice the recipient of the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for the best play of the year (for Watch on the Rhine and Toys in the Attic). She was also awarded the Gold Medal for Drama from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. In 1972 a definitive edition of all her work for the theatre was published as The Collected Plays. Hellman received the National Book Award for An Unfinished Woman in 1969. She subsequently wrote two additional volumes of autobiography, Pentimento and Scoundrel Time. In the decade before her death in 1984, Hellman divided her time between New York and Martha's Vineyard.
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Awards and Nominations
Lillian Hellman, The Little Foxes
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Lillian Hellman, Toys in the Attic
Lillian Hellman, Toys in the Attic
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Lillian Hellman, Watch on the Rhine
Videos
Photos/Video: ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN Starring Norbert Leo Butz, Bob Odenkirk, T.R. Knight, Molly Ringwald and More
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-07-16 18:03:02
Video: Laura Linney & Jessica Hecht Are Getting Ready to Return to Broadway in SUMMER, 1976
by Nicole Rosky - 2023-03-19 15:00:20
VIDEO: Patti LuPone Shares Memories of Working With Stephen Sondheim and More on LATE NIGHT
by Stephi Wild - 2021-12-14 06:50:37
News
by Peter Rouleau - Oct 23, 2026
A generally riveting account of an important historical episode.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2026
Arena Stage will present a special HBCU and Friends Night for Eric Bentley's docudrama ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, with discounted tickets available.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 22, 2026
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Theatre Department will present Lillian Hellman's 1934 drama about the devastating impact of a false accusation against two teachers. Directed by Diane Wagner.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 21, 2026
Arena Stage will present a Young Professionals Night event featuring Eric Bentley's docudrama ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN?, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, with networking and discounted tickets.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 19, 2026
Feral Freeway will stage Lillian Hellman's World War II drama in private residences across Austin, with audiences experiencing the play within actual homes near Mount Bonnell.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 16, 2026
Join Arena Stage for Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? Pride Night. Straight from Off-Broadway comes Eric Bentley's timely American docudrama, Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 16, 2026
Arena Stage will present a college-priced performance of Eric Bentley's docudrama ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN?, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, with $35 tickets available to students.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2026
Get a first look inside rehearsals for ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN? at Arena Stage, directed by Anna D. Shapiro and running October 17 through December 6, 2026.
by Tyler Hinton - Oct 1, 2026
Many celebrities expressed their love of theatre at this year’s FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, held September 24-26, 2026! Featuring exclusive interviews with Christian Borle and Zachary Levi.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 29, 2026
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has revealed the company for Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?, Eric Bentley’s political docudrama.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 28, 2026
Arena Stage will present SCRIPTED, an immersive script reading club examining Eric Bentley's political docudrama ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN?, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2026
Eric Bentley's docudrama, drawn from HUAC hearing transcripts, will move to Arena Stage's Kreeger Theater following its Off-Broadway run at New York City Center, with Anna D. Shapiro again directing.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 5, 2026
Chester Theatre Company will present the East Coast premiere of DEAR ALIEN by playwright Liz Duffy Adams at its Chester, Massachusetts venue.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2026
The Off-Broadway production of Eric Bentley’s 1972 docudrama, Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been, will play its final performance at New York City Center Stage I.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 16, 2026
The third rotating guest cast of ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN is now appearing at New York City Center Stage I. Check out photos and video of the new cast.
by Bruce Glikas - Jul 16, 2026
See photos of the legendary Jane Fonda visiting the cast of Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been on Broadway. The production is now in performances at New York City Center Stage I.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 9, 2026
The third cycle of guest stars for Eric Bentley’s 1972 docudrama, Are You Now or Have You Ever Been, directed by Tony winner Anna D. Shapiro, will begin performances, including Bob Odenkirk, Molly Ringwald and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 29, 2026
Check out new production photos of Scott Adsit, Ben Rappaport, and Thomas Sadoski in ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, Eric Bentley's 1972 docudrama, now playing at New York City Center Stage I through July 12.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2026
New York Stage & Film has revealed initial casting for its 2026 Summer Season at Marist University and The Bardavon, kicking off with a Benefit Reading of The Maltese Falcon.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2026
Dates have been set for Bob Odenkirk, Molly Ringwald, T.R. Knight, Norbert Leo Butz, and Harry Lennix as guest stars in ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN. Learn more here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Lillian Hellman has written 13 shows including The Children's Hour (Playwright), Days to Come (Playwright), The Little Foxes (Playwright), Watch on the Rhine (Playwright), The Searching Wind (Playwright), Another Part of the Forest (Playwright), Montserrat (Playwright), Regina (Source Material), The Autumn Garden (Playwright), Candide (Bookwriter), Toys in the Attic (Playwright), My Mother, My Father and Me (Playwright), Toys in the Attic (Playwright).
Lillian Hellman has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. She was nominated for Outstanding Revival at The Lortels for "The Little Foxes." She also received nominations for Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for both "Toys in the Attic" and "Watch on the Rhine." Additionally, she was nominated for Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Toys in the Attic."
Lillian Hellman has won several awards for her work in the theater. She received the Best American Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for her plays "Toys in the Attic" and "Watch on the Rhine". These accolades recognize Hellman's exceptional talent and contribution to American theater.
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