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 Born in 1947 in Chicago, he was educated at Goddard College, in Vermont, and studied drama at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, before returning to Chicago and establishing the St Nicholas Theatre Company in 1972. He remained their resident writer for four years. The first of his plays to secure international recognition was 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' (1974) and 'American Buffalo' (1975). The latter was eventually performed by Al Pacino on Broadway and London's West End earning him an 'Award Obie' when it transferred from Chicago to New York. His play 'Glengarry Glen Ross' won the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. His other plays include 'A Life in the Theatre' (1977). 'Edmond' (1982). 'The Shawl' (1985) and 'Speed the Plow' (1988). The rejection of his screen adaption of 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' was completely rewritten and released as 'About Last Night in 1986. He soon attracted wide acclaim as a screenwriter when his version of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1981) was made by Bob Rafelson and his original screenplay for 'The Verdict (1982) was nominated for an Oscar. Subsequent screenplays include 'The Untouchables' (1987), 'We're No Angels' (1990), 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (1992). He then wrote and directed 'House of Games' (1987), 'Things Change' (1988) and 'Homicide' (1991). He's also published two collections of essays 'Writing in Restaurants' (1986) and Some Freaks' (1989). In 1987, he conducted a series of classes at Columbia University Film School which were put into print as 'On Directing Film' (1992).
Bio:
Born in 1947 in Chicago, he was educated at Goddard College, in Vermont, and studied drama at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, before returning to Chicago and establishing the St Nicholas Theatre Company in 1972. He remained their resident writer for four years. The first of his plays to secure international recognition was 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' (1974) and 'American Buffalo' (1975). The latter was eventually performed by Al Pacino on Broadway and London's West End earning him an 'Award Obie' when it transferred from Chicago to New York. His play 'Glengarry Glen Ross' won the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. His other plays include 'A Life in the Theatre' (1977). 'Edmond' (1982). 'The Shawl' (1985) and 'Speed the Plow' (1988). The rejection of his screen adaption of 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' was completely rewritten and released as 'About Last Night in 1986. He soon attracted wide acclaim as a screenwriter when his version of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1981) was made by Bob Rafelson and his original screenplay for 'The Verdict (1982) was nominated for an Oscar. Subsequent screenplays include 'The Untouchables' (1987), 'We're No Angels' (1990), 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (1992). He then wrote and directed 'House of Games' (1987), 'Things Change' (1988) and 'Homicide' (1991). He's also published two collections of essays 'Writing in Restaurants' (1986) and Some Freaks' (1989). In 1987, he conducted a series of classes at Columbia University Film School which were put into print as 'On Directing Film' (1992).
Tivia:
Well known for the rhythmic nature of his dialogue, he actually uses a metronome during rehearsals to perfect the actors' delivery of it.Won the Pulitzer prize in Drama for "Glengary Glen Ross".Although he intended it as a deconstruction of ruthless business practices and the nature of capitalism, many businesses have used the film 'Glengarry Glen Ross' as a training method and motivational tool for employees.Eschews using a personal computer to write his screenplays and plays, preferring to use his old-fashioned typewriter.Attended Goddard College, Plainfield, VT with William H. Macy and Jonathan Katz.Daughters with Lindsay Crouse: Zosia Mamet and Willa Mamet.Used to work as a waiter at Second City Theater in Chicago.Based his play 'Glengarry Glen Ross' on his own time working in a Real Estate office.He wanted to be an actor as a young man but his attempts failed so he turned to writing and directing in order to stay in the industry.Often either declines credit or uses a pseudonym if he is called upon only as a script doctor, or some films he doesn't direct. The only such film that credited him by name was Hannibal (2001).Occasional co-lyricist for his wife, singer Rebecca Pidgeon.Won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Glengarry Glen Ross" and was nominated for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "The Cryptogram".Two children with actress Rebecca Pidgeon: Clara Mamet and Noah Mamet.His play, "Glengarry Glen Ross", was awarded the 1984 Joseph Jefferson Award for Play Production at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He is an avid fan of film noir.As a teenager Mamet was a regular on "Kumzitz," a local Chicago WLS-TV show for Jewish youth. His recurring character was a soda jerk.Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award for Best Play: in 1984 for "Glengarry Glen Ross," and in 1988 for "Speed-the-Plow.".His stage work assayed in book entitled, "How Good is David Mamet, Anyway?" by critic John Heilpern, Dec. 1999.His play "Boston Marriage" was performed at the Donmar Warehouse and New Ambassador's Theatre in London and was nominated for a 2002 'Laurence Olivier' Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of 2001.He practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.Brother of Lynn Mamet.His favorite books are "Outlaws", "True Grit", "Wolfville", "The Complete Works of Ernest Bramah", "Post Captain", and "Gates of Fire".He is the son of Lenore June (Silver) and Bernard Morris Mamet. He is of Russian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent.Ex-son-in-law of Russel Crouse.Interviewed by Frank Rich at the Lighthouse International Theater on Feb. 12th in NYC. (January 2007)He was one of the screenwriters to receive a million dollars as salary.Playwright/screenwriterBrother-in-law of Matthew Pidgeon. |
| Name: |
David Mamet |
Type: |
Writer,Producer,Director (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
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Business scope: |
Writer,Producer,Director |
| Products for sale: |
Writer,Producer,Director |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:51:09 |
| Height: |
5' 6' (1.68 m) |
| Biography: |
Born in 1947 in Chicago, he was educated at Goddard College, in Vermont, and studied drama at New York\'s Neighborhood Playhouse, before returning to Chicago and establishing the St Nicholas Theatre Company in 1972. He remained their resident writer |
| Trivia: |
Well known for the rhythmic nature of his dialogue, he actually uses a metronome during rehearsals to perfect the actors' delivery of it.Won the Pulitzer prize in Drama for "Glengary Glen Ross".Although he intended it as a deconstruction of ruthless business practices and the nature of capitalism, many businesses have used the film 'Glengarry Glen Ross' as a training method and motivational tool for employees.Eschews using a personal computer to write his screenplays and plays, preferring to use his old-fashioned typewriter.Attended Goddard College, Plainfield, VT with William H. Macy and Jonathan Katz.Daughters with Lindsay Crouse: Zosia Mamet and Willa Mamet.Used to work as a waiter at Second City Theater in Chicago.Based his play 'Glengarry Glen Ross' on his own time working in a Real Estate office.He wanted to be an actor as a young man but his attempts failed so he turned to writing and directing in order to stay in the industry.Often either declines credit or uses a pseudonym if he is called upon only as a script doctor, or some films he doesn't direct. The only such film that credited him by name was Hannibal (2001).Occasional co-lyricist for his wife, singer Rebecca Pidgeon.Won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Glengarry Glen Ross" and was nominated for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "The Cryptogram".Two children with actress Rebecca Pidgeon: Clara Mamet and Noah Mamet.His play, "Glengarry Glen Ross", was awarded the 1984 Joseph Jefferson Award for Play Production at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He is an avid fan of film noir.As a teenager Mamet was a regular on "Kumzitz," a local Chicago WLS-TV show for Jewish youth. His recurring character was a soda jerk.Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award for Best Play: in 1984 for "Glengarry Glen Ross," and in 1988 for "Speed-the-Plow.".His stage work assayed in book entitled, "How Good is David Mamet, Anyway?" by critic John Heilpern, Dec. 1999.His play "Boston Marriage" was performed at the Donmar Warehouse and New Ambassador's Theatre in London and was nominated for a 2002 'Laurence Olivier' Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of 2001.He practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.Brother of Lynn Mamet.His favorite books are "Outlaws", "True Grit", "Wolfville", "The Complete Works of Ernest Bramah", "Post Captain", and "Gates of Fire".He is the son of Lenore June (Silver) and Bernard Morris Mamet. He is of Russian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent.Ex-son-in-law of Russel Crouse.Interviewed by Frank Rich at the Lighthouse International Theater on Feb. 12th in NYC. (January 2007)He was one of the screenwriters to receive a million dollars as salary.Playwright/screenwriterBrother-in-law of Matthew Pidgeon. |
| Trademarks: |
Frequently makes use of William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin and Joe Mantegna, actors who also headlined his stage productions. Other regulars include Ed O'Neill, Lionel Mark Smith, Ricky Jay, Jonathan Katz and the late J.T. Walsh.
The telephone is often a key device or weapon in his works
His films feature bursts of fast moving, profane dialog
Often casts his wife, Rebecca Pidgeon, in prominent roles in movies he directs. While he was married to Lindsay Crouse, the same was true for her.
Great attention to realistic dialogue, often the actors in his films stutter or even leave a large portion of their lines unsaid. |
| Quotes: |
[to acting students at Atlantic Theater Company]Invent nothing, deny nothing.
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I've always been more comfortable sinking while clutching a good theory than swimming with an ugly fact.
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There's no such thing as talent; you just have to work hard enough.
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In a world we find terrifying, we ratify that which doesn't threaten us.
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We Americans have always considered Hollywood, at best, a sinkhole of depraved venality. And, of course, it is. It is not a protective monastery of aesthetic truth. It is a place where everything is incredibly expensive. |
| Job title: |
Writer,Producer,Director |
| Others works: |
Worked as a writer for Playboy in the '70s.
(1998) Book: "Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama" (lectures/essays)
(1991) Book: "On Directing Film" (Penguin Books)
(2002) Stage: Directed Ricky Jay in his o |
| Spouse: |
Rebecca Pidgeon (September 22, 1991 - present) (2 children)Lindsay Crouse (December 21, 1977 - 1991) (divorced, 2 children) |
| Children: |
Zosia Mamet |
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