Kaufman, George S. (George Simon), 1889-1961

George Simon Kaufman (November 16, 1889 - June 2, 1961) was a playwright, director, producer, humorist, and drama critic noted for his many collaborations with other writers and his contributions to 20th century American comedy. His most successful solo script was The Butter and Egg Man, 1925. As a collaborator, Kaufman was prolific: with Marc Connelly he wrote Merton of the Movies, Dulcy, and Beggar on Horseback; with Ring Lardner he wrote June Moon; with Edna Ferber he wrote The Royal Family, Dinner at Eight, and Stage Door; with John P. Marquand he wrote a stage adaptation of Marquand's novel The Late George Apley; and with Howard Teichmann he wrote The Solid Gold Cadillac. Kaufman began his career as a journalist and drama critic. He was the drama editor for "The New York Times." Kaufman collaborated on many musical projects. His most successful efforts include two Broadway shows crafted for the Marx Brothers, The Cocoanuts, written with Irving Berlin and Animal Crackers, with Morrie Ryskind, Bert Kalmar, and Harry Ruby. Kaufman was a pivotal figure in the development of theatrical writing in the 20th century, working with collaborators who were rooted in vaudeville, in musical comedy, in film, in journalism, in prose fiction, in television, in revue, and in the commercial Broadway theatre.

Playwright and newspaperman.

George S. Kaufman was a noted playwright and director born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 16, 1889.

In the early years of his career, Kaufman was the drama critic for the New York Times. Later, as a playwright he collaborated with many famous writers including Marc Connelly, Edna Ferber, Moss Hart, Morrie Ryskind and Howard Teichmann. Some of his works include: DULCY (1921), THE COCOANUTS (1925), ANIMAL CRACKERS(1928), THE BAND WAGON (1931), DINNER AT EIGHT (1932), STAGE DOOR (1936), THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1939), GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE (1940), and SILK STOCKINGS (1955). Two of his plays OF THEE I SING (1931), and YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1936) received the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Kaufman also worked in Hollywood, writing both screenplays and adaptations of his work. Among these were COCOANUTS (1929), ANIMAL CRACKERS (1930), YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1938) and SOLID GOLD CADILLAC (1956).Kaufman died on June 2, 1961.

George S. Kaufman was a noted playwright and director born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 16, 1889. In the early years of his career, Kaufman was the drama critic for the New York Times. Later, as a playwright he collaborated with many famous writers including Marc Connelly, Edna Ferber, Moss Hart, Morrie Ryskind and Howard Teichmann. Some of his works include: DULCY (1921), THE COCOANUTS (1925), ANIMAL CRACKERS(1928), THE BAND WAGON (1931), DINNER AT EIGHT (1932), STAGE DOOR (1936), THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1939), GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE (1940), and SILK STOCKINGS (1955). Two of his plays OF THEE I SING (1931), and YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1936) received the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Kaufman also worked in Hollywood, writing both screenplays and adaptations of his work. Among these were COCOANUTS (1929), ANIMAL CRACKERS (1930), YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1938) and SOLID GOLD CADILLAC (1956).Kaufman died on June 2, 1961.