Wallace Shawn
Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
Wallace Shawn's WHAT WE DID BEFORE OUR MOTH DAYS Extends Off-Broadway (Feb 17, 2026)
Spotlight on Plays: February 2026 (Feb 2, 2026)
Top Off-Broadway Shows for February 2026 (Feb 1, 2026)
BIO
Wallace Shawn started writing plays in 1967. His play Our Late Night, directed by André Gregory, was done at the Public Theater in New York in 1975 by André’s group, The Manhattan Project.
His plays have been performed at The Public Theater and Scott Elliott's The New Group in New York and in London at the National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre. They include Maire and Bruce, Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Fever, The Designated Mourner, Grasses of a Thousand Colors, and Evening at the Talk House. The plays are published in the United States by TCG Books and Grove Press and in the UK by Faber and Nick Hern Books. The current version of The Fever and What We Did Before Our Moth Days will be published in the United States and the UK by Faber.
His work as a film actor includes appearances in Manhattan, Clueless, Radio Days, Toy Story franchise, The Moderns and Rifkin’s Festival. Wallace is also known as Dr. Sturgis in the television show “Young Sheldon.”
Wallace’s three films with André Gregory, available in a boxed set from Criterion, are My Dinner with André and Vanya on 42nd Street, both directed by Louis Malle, and A Master Builder, directed by Jonathan Demme. He and André co-wrote My Dinner with André in Vanya. Wallace played Vanya in the production directed by André, and in A Master Builder he played Solness in the production directed by André.
André directed Wallace’s play Grasses of a Thousand Colors at the Royal Court in London and, in a co-production with Theatre for a New Audience, at The Public Theater. André’s production of The Designated Mourner was first produced by Celeste Bartos and Scott Rudin in a deserted men’s club near Wall Street. It has also been done at The Public Theater and Redcat in Los Angeles.
His latest book is a long essay, Night Thoughts. His earlier essays are collected in Essays. Both books are published by Haymarket Books. In the U.K., his essays are collected in the book Sleeping Among Sheep Under a Starry Sky.
Allen Shawn's opera The Music Teacher, with a libretto by Wallace Shawn, is available from Bridge Records.
Wallace Shawn’s new play, What We Did Before Our Moth Days, directed by André Gregory, is playing off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Movies
[ 1979 ] Jeremiah
[ 1979 ] Workshop Member
[ 1980 ] Eric Van Dongen
[ 1980 ] Mugger
[ 1981 ] Jules Goldfarb
[ 1981 ] Wallace Shawn
[ 1982 ] Oliver
[ 1983 ] Earl
[ 1983 ] Harold DeVoto
[ 1983 ] Otto Jaffe
[ 1984 ] Dr. Elliot Fibel
[ 1984 ] Freud
[ 1984 ] Mr. Pardon
[ 1984 ] Turtle
[ 1985 ] Father Abruzzi
[ 1985 ] Mike Hoover
[ 1987 ] Ellen
[ 1987 ] Henderson's Attorney
[ 1987 ] John Lahr
[ 1987 ] Mked Avenger
[ 1987 ] Vizzini
[ 1988 ] Oiseau
[ 1989 ] Dr. Fishbinder
[ 1989 ] Howard Saravian
[ 1989 ] Translator
[ 1991 ] Simon Carr
[ 1992 ] Dr. Block
[ 1992 ] Everett Willits
[ 1992 ] Sibor, Semage's Beau
[ 1993 ] Larry
[ 1993 ] Mr. Little
[ 1994 ] Horatio Byrd
[ 1994 ] Vanya
[ 1995 ] Canadian Prime Minister
[ 1995 ] Cosmo
[ 1995 ] Echidna
[ 1995 ] Mr. Wendell Hall
[ 1995 ] Principal Mazur
[ 1995 ] Rex
[ 1996 ] Labradour MC
[ 1996 ] VictorVicFinley
[ 1997 ] Arthur Blake
[ 1997 ] Furnaceman
[ 1997 ] Marty
[ 1997 ] writer
[ 1999 ] Coleye
[ 1999 ] Rex
[ 2000 ] Gene
[ 2001 ] George Bond
[ 2002 ] Mr. Gelb
[ 2003 ] Ezra
[ 2003 ] Herman
[ 2004 ] Gilbert Huph
[ 2004 ] Principal Strickler
[ 2004 ] Sy
[ 2004 ] writer
[ 2005 ] Clinic Doctor
[ 2005 ] Principal Fetchit
[ 2006 ] Baron Von Westphalen
[ 2006 ] Munk
[ 2007 ] Wallace Shawn
[ 2008 ] Mr. Gibson
[ 2008 ] The Migoo
[ 2009 ] Broker, Booker, Lancelot Squarejaw
[ 2010 ] Calico
[ 2010 ] Rex
[ 2011 ] Sandy
[ 2012 ] Dr. Van Helsing
[ 2012 ] Gideon Rosen
[ 2013 ] Clarence
[ 2013 ] Halvard Solness
[ 2013 ] Mr Papadopoulos
[ 2014 ] Dr. Fieldman
[ 2015 ] Kliegler
[ 2015 ] Mr. Willis
[ 2016 ] Mr. Garfield
[ 2017 ] Albert
[ 2017 ] David
[ 2017 ] Mr. Woodley
[ 2018 ] Dr. Derek
[ 2019 ] Rex
[ 2019 ] Theater Actor
[ 2020 ] Mort Rifkin
[ 2020 ] Mr. Crocus
[ 2021 ] Lucky
[ 2021 ] Mr. Mustela
TV Shows
Mr. Hall
Dr. Howard Stiles
Dr. Warren Hughes
Bertram
Cyrus Rose
Taotie
Benjamin Edelman, Professor Roy Batters
Winslow Elliott
Stuart Best
Mr. Goldberg
Zek
Arnie, Arnie Ross
Principal Crosby Strickler
Jeffrey Engels
Charles Lester
Charles Lester
William Halsey
Herb Smith
Tall
Unkar the Unfortunate, Unkar
Dr. John Sturgis
[ 2022-2024 ] Father Frank Ignatius
[ 2018-2024 ] Dr. John Sturgis
[ 2023-2025 ] John Fate (voice)
Awards and Nominations
winner
Wallace Shawn
winner
Wallace Shawn, The Fever
winner
Wallace Shawn, Aunt Dan and Lemon
winner
Wallace Shawn, Our Late Night
Videos
VIDEO: Ethan Hawke is Prepping a Zoom Production Of WAITING FOR GODOT
by Sarah Leiber - 2021-02-02 09:50:06
VIDEO: Watch Adam Driver Sing 'Being Alive' From COMPANY in His Film MARRIAGE STORY
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-12-06 11:44:08
MARRIAGE STORY Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson Wins Four Gotham Awards
by A.A. Cristi - 2019-12-02 23:05:09
VIDEO: Adam Driver Reveals He and Noah Baumbach Considered Making a Film Version of COMPANY
by Stephi Wild - 2019-11-21 08:48:06
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for MARRIAGE STORY Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-10-17 13:15:06
VIDEO: Watch the 'Quirky Eggheads and Texas Snow Globes' Sneak Peek of YOUNG SHELDON Season 3
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-09-20 12:30:31
VIDEO: Cary Elwes Talks New Book, THE PRINCESS BRIDE Anecdotes, and More
by Sally Henry Fuller - 2014-10-18 20:03:53
STAGE TUBE: 'Would You Change the Past?' and More Questions Asked of Celebrities at Opening Night of CTG's A PARALLELOGRAM
by Christina Mancuso - 2013-08-01 15:41:43
News
by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2026
Wallace Shawn’s new play, What We Did Before Our Moth Days, directed by André Gregory, will be extended for an additional two weeks through Sunday, May 10, at the Greenwich House Theater.
by Team BWW - Feb 2, 2026
The Spring 2026 season has officially begun, and with it, comes new plays for theatre lovers of all kinds. Whether you live for intense dramas or would rather escape with zany comedies, there's something for everyone both on and off-Broadway in February 2026.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 1, 2026
What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is here to guide you through the top picks for theatre this month. February is filled with world premieres featuring well-known stars. See the full list!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2026
Wallace Shawn will embark on a theatrical double venture this winter at the Greenwich House Theater: performing The Fever in repertory What We Did Before Our Moth Days.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2025
The Harbor Stage Company, Cape Cod's acclaimed artist-run ensemble, will head south this winter with their celebrated adapation of the iconic indie film My Dinner with André.
by Team BWW - Nov 15, 2025
The Fall 2025 season is in full swing, and with it, comes new plays for theatre lovers of all kinds. Whether you live for intense dramas or would rather escape with zaney comedies, there's something for everyone both on and off-Broadway in Winter 2025/26.
by - Sep 10, 2025
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 10, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2025
Wallace Shawn will premiere his new play, What We Did Before Our Moth Days, directed by André Gregory, for a limited 12-week off-Broadway run at the Greenwich House Theater (27 Barrow St).
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 18, 2025
The 29th LA Shorts International Film Festival's 2025 offerings, include 470 films from 34 countries. The OSCARS & BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts Fest takes place at Regal Cinema LA LIVE on July 16-28.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 1, 2025
Wessex Grove has announced that Ben Power has joined the company in a consulting capacity as Creative Associate. Learn more about Power and his new position here.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 2, 2025
In celebration of 30 years of Clueless, Paramount Pictures is launching 'the summer of Clueless' a series of global events allowing fans an opportunity to revisit the cult classic film in new ways.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 17, 2025
Alicia Silverstone is officially set to star and executive produce a long-awaited sequel to the 1995 cult classic Clueless. Original director Amy Heckerling will serve as an executive producer for the Peacock series.
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 28, 2025
Written by and starring comedic actor and playwright Wallace Shawn and avant garde theater director André Gregory, and based on their lives, the 1981 film is the story of two old friends who share dinner at a New York bistro while revisiting their ongoing debate about the life of an artist and the art of making a living.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2025
In 2021, amidst ongoing controversy and accusations of mistreatment, producer Scott Rudin stepped away from the theatre world. Now he is planning to make a return this year.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 24, 2025
With more than twenty episodes having aired so far across its two seasons, BroadwayWorld has put together an exhaustive list of all the Broadway stars we could find who have appeared in CBS' Elsbeth.
by Kat Mokrynski - Jan 30, 2025
Even before the show begins, Demi Adejuyigbe is Going To Do One (1) Backflip has me laughing with its preshow playlist, a fascinating tracklist of songs that have been turned into some absolutely wild mash-ups. From combining Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan to making a seamless transition from Kendrick Lamar to Fleetwood Mac, there are some surprisingly great ones - my particular favourite was ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” combined with Disturbed’s “Down with the Sickness!”
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2024
Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick is set to appear as a special guest star in a 2025 episode of CBS crime drama Elsbeth. The Producers star will be joined onscreen by James Wilkie Broderick, Matthew's son, in what will be their first joint television appearance.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024
Jeffrey Horowitz, Founder of Theatre for a New Audience, having led and grown the not-for-profit organization since 1979, will retire on August 31, 2025, at the end of TFANA's just-announced season of Shakespeare alongside plays by classical and contemporary playwrights.
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 22, 2024
Watch in this video as we catch up with 2024 Emmy nominee Matthew Broderick, who looks back on his incredible career on stage and screen. He shares stories about how he first met Mel Brooks, why he loves performing the work of Neil Simon, what its like working with Nathan Lane, and so much more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 3, 2024
The 24 Hour Plays bring their unique, one-night-only live performances to Shelter Island's Rams Head Inn on July 12, 2024. Learn how to purchase tickets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Wallace Shawn has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
Wallace Shawn has not appeared in the West End.
Legend of Off Broadway Honorees (), Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for The Fever, Distinguished Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Aunt Dan and Lemon and Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Our Late Night.
Wallace Shawn has received several notable awards, including being named a Legend of Off-Broadway Honoree. He won the Obie Award for Best New American Play for The Fever, received the Distinguished Playwriting Obie Award for Aunt Dan and Lemon, and also earned an Obie Award for Playwriting for Our Late Night.
Wallace Shawn has written 8 shows including Our Late Night (Playwright), Marie and Bruce (Playwright), Aunt Dan and Lemon (Author), The Fever (Playwright), The Music Teacher (Playwright), Grasses of a Thousand Colors (Playwright), Evening at the Talk House (Playwright), What We Did Before Our Moth Days (Writer).
Videos