Neil Simon

Neil Simon (1927-2018) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and author known for his prolific career in theater and film. With over 30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, many of which were adaptations of his own works, Simon left an indelible mark on American entertainment. He was the recipient of three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and was nominated for four Academy Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards. In addition, he received a Special Tony Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Simon's childhood in New York City during the Great Depression inspired his love for the movies, particularly early comedians like Charlie Chaplin. After serving in the Army Air Force Reserve, he began his career writing comedy scripts for radio and television shows, including Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows.