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 Neil Simon was born on July 4, 1927 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Odd Couple (1968), Murder by Death (1976) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). He was previously married to Elaine Joyce, Diane Lander, Marsha Mason and Joan Baim. He died on August 26, 2018 in New York City, New York, USA.
Bio:
Neil Simon was born on July 4, 1927 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Odd Couple (1968), Murder by Death (1976) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). He was previously married to Elaine Joyce, Diane Lander, Marsha Mason and Joan Baim. He died on August 26, 2018 in New York City, New York, USA.
Tivia:
His brother, Danny Simon, actually started writing the "The Odd Couple" but was not able to finish it. He asked Neil to take it over, and Neil did in exchange for sole author credit. However, he continued to pay Danny 10% of everything the property generated.Almost every one of his 30-plus plays, mostly Broadway comedies, has also been adapted into a motion picture-- the greatest such achievement of any playwright/author, even surpassing William Shakespeare As a result, Simon has received more Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer in the history of show business.He became so successful financially that he backed his own plays.Part of his film, Chapter Two (1979), was based on his own life in that, after losing his first wife, he married actress Marsha Mason 6 months later, after a courtship of 22 days. In the film, recently widowed George (James Caan) meets and impulsively marries actress Jennie (Marsha Mason) after a whirlwind courtship.In 1966 Simon had four shows playing in Broadway theaters at the same time: 'Sweet Charity', 'The Star-Spangled Girl', 'The Odd Couple', and 'Barefoot in the Park'.When he died in August 2018, it was overshadowed by the deaths of Aretha Franklin and Senator John McCain. As a result, many people were unaware of his passing.Based his play 'The Odd Couple' on his brother Danny's divorce. He actually wrote two versions of it. The more famous version features Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, and is written primarily for a male cast. The other one changes the leads to two women - Olive Madison and Florence Ungar.2004: Received kidney transplant donated by Bill Eveans, his publicist.He won both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for "Lost In Yonkers" in 1991.Children: daughters Ellen Simon and Nancy Simon by Joan Baim; Bryn (adopted) with Diane Lander.Received the 2006 Mark Twain prize on October 15, 2006 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.Has won two Tony Awards as author of Best Play winners: in 1985 for "Biloxi Blues" and in 1991 for "Lost in Yonkers." Additionally, he has been Tony-nominated an impressive 15 times: in 1963, as Best Author (Musical) and book for Best Musical nominee "Little Me," in 1964, as author of Best Play nominee "Barefoot in the Park;" in 1965, as Best Author (Dramatic) and author of Best Play nominee "The Odd Couple;" in 1966, for book of Best Musical nominee "Sweet Charity;" in 1968, as author of Best Play nominee "Plaza Suite;" in 1969, for book for Best Musical nominee "Promises, Promises;" in 1970, as author of Best Play nominee "Last of the Red Hot Lovers;" in 1972, as author of Best Play nominee "The Prisoner of Second Avenue;" in 1973, as author of Best Play nominee "The Sunshine Boys;" in 1974, as Best Score, his lyrics with Peter Link's music, for "The Good Doctor;" in 1978, as author of Best Play nominee "Chapter Two;" in 1979, as Best Book (Musical) for "They're Playing Our Song;" and in 1987, as author of Best Play nominee "Broadway Bound."Neil Simon was nominated for the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Broadway Bound" and the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Lost in Yonkers".Practiced Shaolin Qi Gong with Shaolin Warrior Monk Shi Yan Fan in Sherman Oaks before he moved to New York.His play, "Lost in Yonkers" at the Northlight Theatre in Chicago, Illinois was nominated for a 2014 Joseph Jefferson Equity Award for Large Play Production.He loved playing tennis.The Alvin Theater at 250 W. 52nd Street on Broadway was renamed the Neil Simon Theater on June 23, 1983.His play, "Laughter on the 23rd Floor", was nominated for a 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of 1996.Son of Mamie (Levy) and Irving Simon, a garment salesman. His grandparents were all Russian Jewish immigrants.Received newly established 'Apple Award' from The Nederlander Company and Wayne State University. Named in honor of Sarah Applebaum Nederlander, who was known affectionately as 'Apple', the Apple Award will be presented annually to a nationally recognized theatre professional who has made significant contributions in his or her field. The Nederlander's and WSU established the award this year in celebration of the Fisher Theatre's 40th anniversary. (November 28, 2001)He was awarded the 1977 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Playwriting for "Chapter Two," at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.His play, "Biloxi Blues," on Broadway in New York City was awarded the 1985 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Play.He was awarded the 1992 Drama-Logue Award for Writing for "Lost in Yonkers" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California.His play, "Lost in Yonkers" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California was awarded the 1992 Drama-Logue Award for Production.He was awarded the 1997 Drama Logue Award for Writing for "Proposals" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| Name: |
Neil Simon |
Type: |
Writer,Producer,Actor (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Writer,Producer,Actor |
| Products for sale: |
Writer,Producer,Actor |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 03:44:52 |
| Height: |
6' 1?' (1.87 m) |
| Biography: |
Neil Simon was born on July 4, 1927 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Odd Couple (1968), Murder by Death (1976) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). He was previously married to Elaine Joyce, Diane Lander |
| Trivia: |
His brother, Danny Simon, actually started writing the "The Odd Couple" but was not able to finish it. He asked Neil to take it over, and Neil did in exchange for sole author credit. However, he continued to pay Danny 10% of everything the property generated.Almost every one of his 30-plus plays, mostly Broadway comedies, has also been adapted into a motion picture-- the greatest such achievement of any playwright/author, even surpassing William Shakespeare As a result, Simon has received more Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer in the history of show business.He became so successful financially that he backed his own plays.Part of his film, Chapter Two (1979), was based on his own life in that, after losing his first wife, he married actress Marsha Mason 6 months later, after a courtship of 22 days. In the film, recently widowed George (James Caan) meets and impulsively marries actress Jennie (Marsha Mason) after a whirlwind courtship.In 1966 Simon had four shows playing in Broadway theaters at the same time: 'Sweet Charity', 'The Star-Spangled Girl', 'The Odd Couple', and 'Barefoot in the Park'.When he died in August 2018, it was overshadowed by the deaths of Aretha Franklin and Senator John McCain. As a result, many people were unaware of his passing.Based his play 'The Odd Couple' on his brother Danny's divorce. He actually wrote two versions of it. The more famous version features Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, and is written primarily for a male cast. The other one changes the leads to two women - Olive Madison and Florence Ungar.2004: Received kidney transplant donated by Bill Eveans, his publicist.He won both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for "Lost In Yonkers" in 1991.Children: daughters Ellen Simon and Nancy Simon by Joan Baim; Bryn (adopted) with Diane Lander.Received the 2006 Mark Twain prize on October 15, 2006 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.Has won two Tony Awards as author of Best Play winners: in 1985 for "Biloxi Blues" and in 1991 for "Lost in Yonkers." Additionally, he has been Tony-nominated an impressive 15 times: in 1963, as Best Author (Musical) and book for Best Musical nominee "Little Me," in 1964, as author of Best Play nominee "Barefoot in the Park;" in 1965, as Best Author (Dramatic) and author of Best Play nominee "The Odd Couple;" in 1966, for book of Best Musical nominee "Sweet Charity;" in 1968, as author of Best Play nominee "Plaza Suite;" in 1969, for book for Best Musical nominee "Promises, Promises;" in 1970, as author of Best Play nominee "Last of the Red Hot Lovers;" in 1972, as author of Best Play nominee "The Prisoner of Second Avenue;" in 1973, as author of Best Play nominee "The Sunshine Boys;" in 1974, as Best Score, his lyrics with Peter Link's music, for "The Good Doctor;" in 1978, as author of Best Play nominee "Chapter Two;" in 1979, as Best Book (Musical) for "They're Playing Our Song;" and in 1987, as author of Best Play nominee "Broadway Bound."Neil Simon was nominated for the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Broadway Bound" and the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Lost in Yonkers".Practiced Shaolin Qi Gong with Shaolin Warrior Monk Shi Yan Fan in Sherman Oaks before he moved to New York.His play, "Lost in Yonkers" at the Northlight Theatre in Chicago, Illinois was nominated for a 2014 Joseph Jefferson Equity Award for Large Play Production.He loved playing tennis.The Alvin Theater at 250 W. 52nd Street on Broadway was renamed the Neil Simon Theater on June 23, 1983.His play, "Laughter on the 23rd Floor", was nominated for a 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of 1996.Son of Mamie (Levy) and Irving Simon, a garment salesman. His grandparents were all Russian Jewish immigrants.Received newly established 'Apple Award' from The Nederlander Company and Wayne State University. Named in honor of Sarah Applebaum Nederlander, who was known affectionately as 'Apple', the Apple Award will be presented annually to a nationally recognized theatre professional who has made significant contributions in his or her field. The Nederlander's and WSU established the award this year in celebration of the Fisher Theatre's 40th anniversary. (November 28, 2001)He was awarded the 1977 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Playwriting for "Chapter Two," at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.His play, "Biloxi Blues," on Broadway in New York City was awarded the 1985 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Play.He was awarded the 1992 Drama-Logue Award for Writing for "Lost in Yonkers" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California.His play, "Lost in Yonkers" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California was awarded the 1992 Drama-Logue Award for Production.He was awarded the 1997 Drama Logue Award for Writing for "Proposals" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| Quotes: |
When it's 100 in New York, it's 72 in Los Angeles. When it's 20 in New York, it's 72 in Los Angeles. However, there are six million interesting people in New York - and 72 in Los Angeles.
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<hr>
On writing 1991's "The Marrying Man": "With a play, I have only two people to please - myself and the director. With this movie, it was 19 executives, a director who'd never done anything but animation before, and two stars who would tell you what lines they'd say and what lines they wouldn't say."
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<hr>
On Hollywood: "Everyone in Hollywood is looking for a blockbuster. They tell you their last movie 'only grossed $70 million,' as if that were some kind of crime."
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<hr>
I don't like writing for comedians. I like writing for actors. The best comedians are the best actors.
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[on Herbert Ross] I think Herb Ross is the best director I've worked with in films. The others just don't understand my material as well. |
| Job title: |
Writer,Producer,Actor |
| Others works: |
(1955) Stage: Wrote (w/Danny Simon) sketches for "Catch a Star!" on Broadway (earliest Broadway credit_. Musical revue. Music by Sammy Fain and Philip Charig. Lyrics by 'Paul Francis Webster' )qv_ and Ray Golden. Ballet music composed |
| Spouse: |
Elaine Joyce (September 11, 1999 - August 26, 2018) (his death)Diane Lander (February 10, 1990 - April 22, 1998) (divorced, 1 child)Diane Lander (January 13, 1987 - August 12, 1988) (divorced)Marsha Mas |
| Relatives: |
Danny Simon (Sibling) |
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