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Neil Simon

Birth Place: Bronx, NY, USA

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BIO

Neil Simon was an American playwright, screenwriter, and author who was born on July 4, 1927, in The Bronx, New York City. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and prolific playwrights in American history, with a career that spanned over five decades. Simon's work often focused on the trials and tribulations of middle-class life, and his plays were known for their wit, humor, and insight.



Simon began his career as a comedy writer in the 1940s, working on radio and television shows. He made his Broadway debut in 1961 with the play "Come Blow Your Horn," which was a commercial success and ran for over a year. This was followed by a string of successful plays, including "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple," "Sweet Charity," and "Plaza Suite."

"The Odd Couple," which premiered on Broadway in 1965, is perhaps Simon's most famous play. It tells the story of two mismatched roommates, Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison, and their hilarious attempts to live together. The play was a huge commercial success and was later adapted into a hit movie and a popular television series.

Simon's success on Broadway earned him numerous awards and accolades, including four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play "Lost in Yonkers." He was also inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1983.

In addition to his work on Broadway, Simon also wrote for film and television. He wrote the screenplays for several successful movies, including "The Goodbye Girl," "The Heartbreak Kid," and "Biloxi Blues." He also wrote for television, creating the popular sitcom "The Odd Couple" and writing for shows such as "Your Show of Shows" and "The Phil Silvers Show."

Despite his success, Simon's personal life was marked by tragedy. He was married five times, and his second wife, actress Joan Baim, died by suicide in 1973. Simon wrote about his experiences in his play "Chapter Two," which premiered on Broadway in 1977.

Simon continued to write and produce plays well into his later years. His last Broadway production, "Rose's Dilemma," premiered in 2003. Simon passed away on August 26, 2018, at the age of 91. His legacy as one of the greatest American playwrights of all time lives on through his work, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

In conclusion, Neil Simon was a prolific and successful playwright, screenwriter, and author who left an indelible mark on American culture. His plays were known for their wit, humor, and insight into the trials and tribulations of middle-class life. He won numerous awards and accolades for his work, including four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Despite personal tragedy, Simon continued to write and produce plays well into his later years, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

Photos

Productions

Plaza SuitePlaza Suite
 
[West End, 2024]
Writer
Promises, Promises
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Adaptation
California Suite
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Theatre Owner / Operator

Writing

Rose's Dilemma
Playwright
London Suite
Playwright
Rumors
Playwright
Lost in Yonkers
Playwright
Jake's Women
Playwright
The Good Doctor
Playwright
God's Favorite
Playwright
Fools
Playwright
Biloxi Blues
Playwright
Chapter Two
Playwright
The Odd Couple
Playwright
Hotel Suite
Playwright
Proposals
Playwright
Plaza Suite
Playwright
Broadway Bound
Playwright
Catch a Star
Sketches
Bookwriter
Joy Ride
Sketches
Little Me
Bookwriter
Sweet Charity
Bookwriter

Movies

Come Blow Your Horn
[ 1963 ] writer
After the Fox
[ 1966 ] writer
Barefoot in the Park
[ 1967 ] writer
The Out of Towners
[ 1970 ] writer
Star Spangled Girl
[ 1971 ] writer
Plaza Suite
[ 1971 ] writer
Last of the Red Hot Lovers
[ 1972 ] writer
The Heartbreak Kid
[ 1972 ] writer
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
[ 1975 ] writer
The Sunshine Boys
[ 1975 ] writer
Murder by Death
[ 1976 ] writer
The Goodbye Girl
[ 1977 ] writer
California Suite
[ 1978 ] writer
The Cheap Detective
[ 1978 ] writer
Chapter Two
[ 1979 ] writer
Seems Like Old Times
[ 1980 ] writer
Only When I Laugh
[ 1981 ] producer
I Ought to Be in Pictures
[ 1982 ] producer
Max Dugan Returns
[ 1983 ] producer
The Slugger's Wife
[ 1985 ] writer
Brighton Beach Memoirs
[ 1986 ] writer
Biloxi Blues
[ 1988 ] writer
The Marrying Man
[ 1991 ] writer
The Odd Couple II
[ 1998 ] producer

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 1997 - Best Comedy

Neil SimonLaughter On The 23rd Floor

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Comedy

Neil SimonLost In Yonkers

Drama Desk Awards - 1991 - Outstanding New Play

Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers


winner
Drama League Awards - 1991 - Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Neil Simon


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1991 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers


winner
Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers

The Pulitzer Prize - 1987 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Neil Simon, Broadway Bound

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Broadway Bound

Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Play

Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1985 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues


winner
Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Play

Neil Simon, Brighton Beach Memoirs


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1983 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Brighton Beach Memoirs

Olivier Awards - 1980 - Musical of the Year

Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song

Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Music

Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song

Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Book of a Musical

Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Chapter Two

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Sunshine Boys

Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Last of the Red Hot Lovers

Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Plaza Suite

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Odd Couple


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Neil Simon , The Odd Couple

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Odd Couple

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Barefoot in the Park

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Musical

Neil Simon, Little Me

Videos

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A DOUBLEWIDE, TEXAS CHRISTMAS is loaded with groaner puns and double entendres, the physical humor is anything but highbrow, and the characters are loony, with the audience frequently howling with laughter, especially during the insane second act.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Neil Simon written?

Neil Simon has written 37 shows including Catch a Star (Sketches), Joy Ride (Sketches), Come Blow Your Horn (Playwright), Little Me (Bookwriter), Sweet Charity (Bookwriter), The Star-Spangled Girl (Playwright), Plaza Suite (Playwright), Promises, Promises (Bookwriter), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Playwright), The Gingerbread Lady (Playwright), The Prisoner of Second Avenue (Playwright), The Sunshine Boys (Playwright), The Good Doctor (Playwright), God's Favorite (Playwright), California Suite (Playwright), Chapter Two (Playwright), They're Playing Our Song (Bookwriter), I Ought to Be in Pictures (Playwright), Fools (Playwright), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Playwright), Biloxi Blues (Playwright), Broadway Bound (Playwright), Rumors (Playwright), I Ought to Be in Pictures (Playwright), Lost in Yonkers (Playwright), Jake's Women (Playwright), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Playwright), London Suite (Playwright), The Goodbye Girl (Bookwriter), Proposals (Playwright), Hotel Suite (Playwright), The Dinner Party (Playwright), 45 Seconds From Broadway (Playwright), Rose's Dilemma (Playwright), The Odd Couple (Playwright), Barefoot in the Park (Playwright), The Neil Simon Plays (Playwright).

What awards has Neil Simon been nominated for?

Best Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Best Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Lost In Yonkers , Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lost in Yonkers, Unique Contribution to the Theatre (Drama League Awards), The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Lost in Yonkers, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Lost in Yonkers, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Broadway Bound, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Broadway Bound, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Biloxi Blues, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Biloxi Blues, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Biloxi Blues, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Brighton Beach Memoirs, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Brighton Beach Memoirs, Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for They're Playing Our Song, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for They're Playing Our Song, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for They're Playing Our Song , Best Play (Tony Awards) for Chapter Two , Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Sunshine Boys, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Plaza Suite, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Odd Couple, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Odd Couple, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Odd Couple, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Barefoot in the Park and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Little Me.

What awards has Neil Simon won?

Neil Simon has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Unique Contribution to the Theatre award from the Drama League Awards. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Lost in Yonkers. Additionally, he earned the Tony Award for Best Play for Lost in Yonkers, Biloxi Blues, and The Odd Couple. Simon also received the Best Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Brighton Beach Memoirs.

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