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David Mamet

Birth Place: Chicago, IL, USA

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BIO

David Mamet is a prolific playwright, screenwriter, and director known for his distinct style and sharp dialogue. Born in Chicago in 1947, Mamet began his career as a playwright in the 1970s, quickly gaining a reputation for his gritty, realistic portrayals of working-class characters.


Mamet's breakthrough came in 1976 with his play "American Buffalo," which premiered at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago before moving to Broadway the following year. The play, which follows a group of small-time crooks planning a heist, was praised for its raw, naturalistic dialogue and won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play.
In the years that followed, Mamet continued to write plays that explored the darker corners of American society, including "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1984), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and "Oleanna" (1992), a controversial play about sexual harassment on college campuses.
Mamet also found success as a screenwriter, penning scripts for films such as "The Verdict" (1982), "The Untouchables" (1987), and "Wag the Dog" (1997). His screenplay for "The Untouchables" earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In addition to his work in theater and film, Mamet has also written several novels and worked as a director for both stage and screen. He made his directorial debut with the film "House of Games" (1987) and has since directed several other films, including "The Spanish Prisoner" (1997) and "Redbelt" (2008).
Mamet's most recent work includes the play "The Penitent," which premiered Off-Broadway in 2017. The play, which centers on a psychiatrist who refuses to testify in a court case, explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of truth.

Photos

Productions

Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Playwright
OleannaOleanna
 
[West End, 2021] [Replacement]
Playwright[Replacement]
Bitter WheatBitter Wheat
 
[West End, 2019]
Director
China DollChina Doll
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Playwright
Speed-the-PlowSpeed-the-Plow
 
[West End, 2014]
Writer
The AnarchistThe Anarchist
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Director
RaceRace
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
Ricky Jay: On the Stem
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
Dangerous Corner
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Director
The Cryptogram
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Director
Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Director
Oleanna
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Director
Three Sisters
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Adaptation
Reunion
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Director

Writing

Duck Variations
Playwright
Reunion
Playwright
Edmond
Playwright
Reunion
Playwright
Oleanna
Playwright
The Cryptogram
Playwright
Edmond
Playwright
Urban Blight
Bookwriter
Romance
Playwright
Orchards
Adaptation
Boston Marriage
Playwright
Bitter Wheat
Okaywright
The Woods
Playwright
Source Material
Source Material
The Penitent
Playwright
The Woods
Playwright
Oleanna
Playwright
Race
Playwright
Speed-The-Plow
Playwright
November
Playwright

Movies

A Life in the Theatre
[ 1979 ] Writer
The Postman Always Rings Twice
[ 1981 ] Writer
The Verdict
[ 1982 ] Writer
About Last Night...
[ 1986 ]
Black Widow
[ 1987 ] Herb
House of Games
[ 1987 ] Writer
The Untouchables
[ 1987 ] Writer
Things Change
[ 1988 ] Writer
We're No Angels
[ 1989 ] Writer
Homicide
[ 1991 ] Writer
Glengarry Glen Ross
[ 1992 ] Writer
Hoffa
[ 1992 ] Writer
The Water Engine
[ 1992 ] Writer
Oleanna
[ 1994 ] Writer
Texan
[ 1994 ] Writer
Vanya on 42nd Street
[ 1994 ] Writer
American Buffalo
[ 1996 ]
Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants
[ 1996 ]
The Edge
[ 1997 ] Writer
The Spanish Prisoner
[ 1997 ] Writer
Wag the Dog
[ 1997 ] Writer
Frogs for Snakes
[ 1998 ]
Lansky
[ 1999 ] Writer
The Winslow Boy
[ 1999 ] Writer
State and Main
[ 2000 ] Writer
Hannibal
[ 2001 ] Writer
Heist
[ 2001 ] Writer
Spartan
[ 2004 ] Writer
Edmond
[ 2005 ] Writer
Choke
[ 2008 ]
Redbelt
[ 2008 ] writer/director
Detective Cook and Ashby
[ 2010 ]
Phil Spector
[ 2013 ] Writer
About Last Night
[ 2014 ]
Knight of Cups
[ 2015 ]

TV Shows

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
David
The Unit
[ 2006-2009 ] Creator
The Simpsons
David Mamet

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best New Comedy

David MametBoston Marriage

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding One Person Show

David Mamet, The Cryptogram

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Play

David Mamet, The Cryptogram


winner
Obie Awards - 1995 - Best Play

David Mamet, Cryptogram

The Pulitzer Prize - 1995 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Mamet, The Cryptogram

The Pulitzer Prize - 1995 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Mamet, The Cryptogram

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding New Play

David Mamet, Oleanna

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding New Play

David Mamet, Speed the Plow

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Play

David Mamet, Speed-the-Plow

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Play

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best American Play

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1984 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Play

David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Play

David MametEdmund


winner
Olivier Awards - 1983 - Play of the Year

David MametGlengarry Glen Ross

Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Best New Play

David Mamet, The Water Engine

Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Best New American Play

David Mamet, American Buffalo


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1977 - Best American Play

David Mamet, American Buffalo


winner
Obie Awards - 1976 - Best New American Play

David Mamet, American Buffalo


winner
Obie Awards - 1976 - Best New American Play

David Mamet, Sexual Perversity in Chicago

Videos

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News


Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, & Bryan Cranston Join David Mamet-Penned Film ASSAS Photo
Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, & Bryan Cranston Join David Mamet-Penned Film ASSASSINATION

Tony Award nominee Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Tony-award-winner Bryan Cranston are all set to star in Assassination, the mystery thriller film from director Barry Levinson and playwright David Mamet and Sam Bromell.
Review: RACE is confronted by DIRT DOGS THEATRE CO Photo
Review: RACE is confronted by DIRT DOGS THEATRE CO

It takes on the clash of white men, black men, and black women and fearlessly looks at all sides when confronted with a crime. Who will do the right thing? It’s a question that seems to hang over the country right now, so RACE could not come at a better time.
David Rasche and Mare Winningham Complete the Cast of CULT OF LOVE at Second Stage Photo
David Rasche and Mare Winningham Complete the Cast of CULT OF LOVE at Second Stage

David Rasche and Emmy Award winner, Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Mare Winningham will star in Leslye Headland’s CULT OF LOVE at Second Stage Theater. See who else is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
DIRTY LAUNDRY Extends At WP Theater Through Late October Photo
DIRTY LAUNDRY Extends At WP Theater Through Late October

DIRTY LAUNDRY at WP Theater has extended its run through late October.
Patti LuPone in Plays- A History Photo
Patti LuPone in Plays- A History

On Broadway alone, Patti has appeared in 28 shows- 14 of them are plays. This season, she's appearing opposite the great Mia Farrow in Jen Silverman's The Roommate, which is now running on Broadway at the Booth Theatre. Let's look back on some of her other great dramatic performances with these videos.
Axial Theatre Presents THE BEST OF CACTUS FLOWERS: PART II September 27- 29 Photo
Axial Theatre Presents THE BEST OF CACTUS FLOWERS: PART II September 27- 29

Axial Theatre in Westchester announced The Best of Cactus Flowers: Part II, featuring five short plays and a film screening from September 27-29 at St John's Episcopal Church in Pleasantville, NY.
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Presents RACE This October Photo
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Presents RACE This October

DIRT DOGS THEATRE CO. has announced their upcoming production of RACE, a provocative play by David Mamet.
Preview: BEST OF CACTUS FLOWERS at Axial Theatre Photo
Preview: BEST OF CACTUS FLOWERS at Axial Theatre

One play asks the very timely question, 'Do your elected representatives really live the values they trumpet on the campaign trail??
Performances Added to ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO Photo
Performances Added to ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO

Additional dates have been added for the world premiere of Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago.
BWW Q&A: T.J. Elliott on HONOR at Knowledge Workings Theater Photo
BWW Q&A: T.J. Elliott on HONOR at Knowledge Workings Theater

Written and directed by T.J. Elliott, HONOR stars Alinca Hamilton (Andrei Serban's Richard III, Julius Caesar at Classic Stage, To All the Black Girls... at Ars Nova), along with John Blaylock (Doctor Frankenstein at West End Theater, The Temple at The Brick, Proof at The Gallery Players), and Ed Altman (Love's Labor's Lost at Theatre Row, Atlantic Pharmaceuticals at The Tank, Jake Shore's Adjust The Procedure).
Cast & Creative Team Set for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at 5-Star Theatricals Photo
Cast & Creative Team Set for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at 5-Star Theatricals

5-Star Theatricals will present LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, choreographed by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Michael McKean Joins GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Revival Photo
Michael McKean Joins GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Revival

Michael McKean, who appeared opposite Bob Odenkirk as Chuck McGill, Esq., on AMC's 'Better Call Saul,' is set to play George Aaronow in the upcoming revival of Glengarry Glen Ross.
Photos: Meet the Cast of WP Theater's DIRTY LAUNDRY Photo
Photos: Meet the Cast of WP Theater's DIRTY LAUNDRY

Rehearsals are now underway for the world premiere of quirky comedy Dirty Laundry, starring Sasha Diamond as Red, Yvette Ganier as Blue, Amy Jo Jackson as Green, Lakisha May as Me, Emmy Award nominee Richard Masur as My Dad, and Drama Desk Award nominee Constance Shulman as Another Woman. 
ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO Set Limited Run For Next Month Photo
ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO Set Limited Run For Next Month

Toughest Man Productions and producers Lecy Goranson and Beth Kligerman have announced the world premiere of Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago.
Meet the Cast of THE ROOMMATE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of THE ROOMMATE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone are returning to Broadway tonight in the new comedy, The Roommate by Jen Silverman. Meet the cast of The Roommate here!
Lakisha May, Richard Masur, Constance Shulman & More to Star in DIRTY LAUNDRY at WP T Photo
Lakisha May, Richard Masur, Constance Shulman & More to Star in DIRTY LAUNDRY at WP Theater

The world premiere of quirky comedy Dirty Laundry will be presented at WP Theater. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Full Cast Set For WAITING FOR GODOT at Theatre Royal Haymarket Photo
Full Cast Set For WAITING FOR GODOT at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Rehearsals have started for the new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, directed by James Macdonald. Learn more about the cast here!
Video: Patti LuPone Sings 'Some People' from GYPSY at Carnegie Hall Photo
Video: Patti LuPone Sings 'Some People' from GYPSY at Carnegie Hall

Watch Patti Lupone sing 'Some People' from Gypsy at Carnegie Hall.
Video: Patti LuPone Sings 'I Dreamed a Dream' from LES MISERABLES at Carnegie Hall Photo
Video: Patti LuPone Sings 'I Dreamed a Dream' from LES MISERABLES at Carnegie Hall

In April 2024, Carnegie Hall welcomed Broadway legend and three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone back for “A Life in Notes”! See video of her performance of 'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Miserables here!
THE 22+ WEDDINGS OF HUGO Comes to GALA Hispanic Theatre Photo
THE 22+ WEDDINGS OF HUGO Comes to GALA Hispanic Theatre

GALA Hispanic Theatre will present the world premiere of The 22+ Weddings of Hugo (Las 22+ bodas de Hugo) in Spanish by Venezuelan playwright and GALA’s Artistic Director Gustavo Ott from September 5 to 29, 2024.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has David Mamet written?

David Mamet has written 29 shows including A Life in the Theatre (Playwright), The Water Engine (Playwright), Duck Variations (Playwright), The Woods (Playwright), Prairie du Chien and The Shawl (Playwright), Orchards (Adaptation), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), Bobby Gould in Hell (Playwright), Reunion (Playwright), Oleanna (Playwright), Death Defying Acts (Playwright), The Cryptogram (Playwright), Edmond (Playwright), The Old Neighborhood (Playwright), The Water Engine/Mr. Happiness (Playwright), Sexual Perversity in Chicago-The Duck Variations (Author), Boston Marriage (Playwright), Romance (Playwright), Glengarry Glen Ross (Playwright), The Voysey Inheritance (Adaptation), November (Playwright), Speed-The-Plow (Playwright), American Buffalo (Playwright), Two Unrelated Plays by David Mamet: Keep Your Pantheon and School (Playwright), Oleanna (Playwright), Race (Playwright), China Doll (Author), The Penitent (Playwright), Bitter Wheat (Okaywright).

What awards has David Mamet been nominated for?

David Mamet has received numerous nominations for his work, including: - Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Boston Marriage - Outstanding One Person Show (Drama Desk Awards) for The Cryptogram - Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Cryptogram - Best Play (Obie Awards) for The Cryptogram - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for The Cryptogram - Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Oleanna - Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Speed-the-Plow - Best Play (Tony Awards) for Speed-the-Plow - Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross - Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Glengarry Glen Ross - Best Play (Tony Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross - Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Edmund - Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross - Best New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Water Engine - Best New American Play (Drama Desk Awards) for American Buffalo - Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for American Buffalo - Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for American Buffalo - Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

What awards has David Mamet won?

David Mamet has won several prestigious awards, including: Best Play (Obie Awards) for Cryptogram; Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross; The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Glengarry Glen Ross; Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross; Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for American Buffalo; Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for American Buffalo; and Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

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