George S. Kaufman Headshot

George S. Kaufman

Date of Death: June 02, 1961 (71)

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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George S. Kaufman BIO

George S. Kaufman was an American playwright, director, and producer who was born on November 16, 1889, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was known for his wit and satire, and his work helped shape the American theater in the early 20th century.
Kaufman began his career as a journalist, writing for newspapers and magazines. In 1918, he wrote his first play, "Someone in the House," which was produced on Broadway the following year. He quickly became a prolific playwright, collaborating with other writers such as Edna Ferber, Moss Hart, and Irving Berlin.
One of Kaufman's most famous works is "You Can't Take It With You," which he co-wrote with Moss Hart. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1937 and was adapted into a successful film in 1938. Kaufman also co-wrote the book for the musical "Of Thee I Sing," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1932.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Kaufman was also a successful director and producer. He directed several of his own plays, as well as productions by other writers. He also produced a number of shows, including the original production of "My Fair Lady" in 1956.
Kaufman was known for his sharp wit and his ability to craft clever dialogue. His plays often satirized American society and politics, and he was not afraid to tackle controversial subjects. He was also known for his collaborations with other writers, and many of his most successful works were written with a partner.
Despite his success on Broadway, Kaufman was not immune to failure. He had several plays that were critical and commercial flops, including "The Butter and Egg Man" and "The Land Is Bright." However, he continued to work in the theater throughout his career, and his influence on American drama cannot be overstated.
In addition to his work in the theater, Kaufman also wrote for film and television. He co-wrote the screenplay for the classic film "Animal Crackers" (1930), which starred the Marx Brothers. He also wrote for several television shows in the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Phil Silvers Show" and "Mr. Broadway."
Kaufman was married twice, first to Beatrice Bakrow in 1917, and later to Leueen MacGrath in 1949. He had two children, Anne and Elizabeth, from his first marriage. Kaufman died on June 2, 1961, in New York City at the age of 71.
Overall, George S. Kaufman was a prolific and influential writer, director, and producer who helped shape the American theater in the early 20th century. His wit and satire continue to inspire playwrights today, and his legacy is felt in every corner of the American theater.

George S. Kaufman STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1930
Lawrence Vail

George S. Kaufman Productions

 
[Broadway, 2009]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1953]
Director
 
[West End, 1953]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1952]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1952]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1951]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1949]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1949]
Theatre Operator
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Director
Theatre Owner / Operator
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Director
Director
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Theatre Owner / Operator
 
[Broadway, 1945]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1945]
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[Broadway, 1944]
Director
Theatre Owner / Operator
 
[Broadway, 1944]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1944]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1943]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1942]
Director
Theatre Manager
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Theatre Operator
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Producer
Director
 
[Broadway, 1940]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
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[Broadway, 1939]
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[Broadway, 1938]
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[Broadway, 1938]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1937]
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[Broadway, 1936]
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[Broadway, 1935]
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[Broadway, 1932]
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[Broadway, 1931]
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[Broadway, 1930]
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[Broadway, 1929]
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[Broadway, 1928]
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[Broadway, 1926]
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Writing

Playwright
Playwright
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Bookwriter
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Lyricist
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Source Material
Additional Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
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Source Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

George S. Kaufman Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Direction

George S. Kaufman, Guys and Dolls


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1932 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

George S. Kaufman, Of Thee I Sing

George S. Kaufman Videos

George S. Kaufman News


Saint Sebastian Players Reveal 43rd Season


The Saint Sebastian Players have announced the company's laughter-filled 43rd season, including a supernatural romantic comedy, a classic farce and an endearing celebration of female bonding. Performances take place at SSP's home in the lower level of St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago.

Video: Jonathan Groff Talks MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG on TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA


Jonathan Groff, who is currently playing the role of Franklin Shepard in the Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along, visited TODAY with Hoda and Jenna on Monday. In the interview, Groff discussed some of the prominent people who have come to see the show, and how his approach to acting has changed over the years. Watch the video here!

Broadway Buying Guide: April 15, 2024- Last Chance to See DOUBT on Broadway


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 15, 2024.

Video: Watch Daniel Radcliffe Sing Sondheim's Ultimate Patter Song from MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG


Sondheim did the music thing very well. And you know what? No one did it better. In this video, watch as Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Charley Kringas in Maria Friedman's acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along, sings 'Franklin Shepard, Inc. in the recording studio.

Milford's Second Street Players' Presents Madcap Comedy YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU


Catch the madcap comedy YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, presented by Milford’s Second Street Players. Directed by Doug James, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, will run from April 19-28 at the Riverfront Theater.

Broadway Buying Guide: April 8, 2024- HAMILTON Rises to the Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 8, 2024.

Video: Lindsay Mendez, Jonathan Groff & Daniel Radcliffe Pick Favorite MERRILY Songs


Watch the Merrily We Roll Along cast's SiriusXM's Town Hall moderated by Seth Rudetsky in which the cast shares their favorite moments from the show, what it was like to record the album, their new friendships and more!

Video: Lindsay Mendez Talks MERRILY & More With Seth Meyers


Watch as Lindsay Mendez discusses Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway and more on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Video: Jonathan Groff Talks MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, Barbra Streisand, and More!


Jonathan Groff stopped by The Tonight Show to talk about Merrily We Roll Along, how Barbra Streisand knows he exists, and more.

Broadway Buying Guide: April 1, 2024- MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Rolls to the Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 1, 2024.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Understudies to Go On for Radcliffe & Groff in April


Merrily We Roll Along stars Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff will be out of the show for select dates in April, giving audience members the chance to see the show's understudies step into the roles! See the performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

Broadway Buying Guide: March 25, 2024- HADESTOWN Is (Livin' it Up) on Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 25, 2024.

Video: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast Members See How Well They Know Each Other's Lines


In a fun new clip, the cast of Merrily We Roll Along see how well they know each other's lines. Check out the video here!

First Broadway Revival of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Recoups Initial Capitalization


Discover the success of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG as it recoups on Broadway. Dive into the story of this popular show's journey and its triumphant achievement.

Video: Meryl Streep and Martin Short Visit MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG


Meryl Streep and Martin Short visited Merrily We Roll Along on Saturday night, March 16 and stopped backstage after the show. Check out video here!

Video: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast Talkback at Rooftop Writers Initiative


Merrily We Roll Along opened doors to the winners of the Rooftop Writers Initiative for a talkback with the Broadway cast, moderated by Benj Pasek. Watch video from the talkback here!

Broadway Buying Guide: February 12, 2024- Get Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE!, SWEENEY TODD, and More


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 12, 2024.

Mallory Bechtel Joins MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Film


Mallory Bechtel has joined the cast of the Merrily We Roll Along film adaptation. The Richard Linklater-directed movie musical stars Paul Mescal as Franklin Shepard, Ben Platt as Charley Kringas, and Beanie Feldstein as Mary Flynn.

Broadway Buying Guide: February 5, 2024- Get Tickets to SWEENEY TODD, HADESTOWN and More


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 5, 2024.

Broadway's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Launches Rooftop Writers Initiative


The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG has announced the Rooftop Writers Initiative, in partnership with the Stephen Sondheim Foundation and American Theatre Wing’s Jonathan Larson Grant.

George S. Kaufman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has George S. Kaufman been in?

George S. Kaufman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has George S. Kaufman been in?

George S. Kaufman has not appeared in the West End

What awards has George S. Kaufman been nominated for?

George S. Kaufman has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction for the Broadway show "Guys and Dolls." Additionally, he has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the Broadway show "Of Thee I Sing."

What awards has George S. Kaufman won?

George S. Kaufman has won several awards throughout his career. He received the Best Direction award at the Tony Awards for his work on "Guys and Dolls." Additionally, he was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play "Of Thee I Sing." These accolades highlight Kaufman's talent and contribution to the world of Broadway.

How many shows has George S. Kaufman written?

George S. Kaufman has written 50 shows including The New Meet the People (Additional Material), Some One in the House (Playwright), Dulcy (Playwright), To the Ladies (Playwright), Merton of the Movies (Playwright), Helen of Troy, New York (Bookwriter), Music Box Revue [1923] (Sketches), The Deep Tangled Wildwood (Playwright), Be Yourself (Bookwriter), Minick (Playwright), Beggar on Horseback (Playwright), The Butter and Egg Man (Playwright), The Good Fellow (Playwright), The Cocoanuts (Bookwriter), Strike Up the Band (Bookwriter), The Royal Family (Playwright), Animal Crackers (Bookwriter), The Channel Road (Playwright), Once in a Lifetime (Playwright), The Band Wagon (Bookwriter), Of Thee I Sing (Bookwriter), June Moon (Playwright), Let 'Em Eat Cake (Bookwriter), The Dark Tower (Playwright), Merrily We Roll Along (Playwright), Stage Door (Playwright), I'd Rather Be Right (Bookwriter), Sing Out the News (Sketches), The Fabulous Invalid (Playwright), The American Way (Playwright), The Land Is Bright (Playwright), The Late George Apley (Playwright), Seven Lively Arts (Bookwriter), Hollywood Pinafore (Lyricist), Park Avenue (Bookwriter), Bravo! (Playwright), The Small Hours (Playwright), Fancy Meeting You Again (Playwright), First Lady (Playwright), The Solid Gold Cadillac (Playwright), Silk Stockings (Bookwriter), You Can't Take It With You (Playwright), Sherry! (Source Material), Merrily We Roll Along (Source Material), The Cocoanuts (Bookwriter), June Moon (Playwright), Once in a Lifetime (Playwright), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Playwright), The Butter and Egg Man (Playwright), Dinner At Eight (Playwright).

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