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Jules Feiffer

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Jules Feiffer is a celebrated American cartoonist, playwright, and screenwriter born on January 26, 1929, in the Bronx, New York. He is best known for his satirical cartoon strips that appeared in The Village Voice for over four decades. Feiffer's work often tackled political and social issues, and he was one of the first cartoonists to address the changing cultural landscape of the 1960s.



Feiffer's career began in the 1940s as a staff cartoonist for The Daily Worker, a communist newspaper. In the 1950s, he began contributing to The Village Voice, where his cartoons quickly gained popularity. His first book, "Sick, Sick, Sick," was published in 1958 and featured a collection of his early work.

In addition to his cartooning, Feiffer has also been a prolific playwright. His first play, "Little Murders," premiered on Broadway in 1967 and was later adapted into a film directed by Alan Arkin. He went on to write several more plays, including "Knock Knock," "Grown Ups," and "A Bad Friend."

Feiffer's work has also been adapted for the screen. He wrote the screenplay for the 1971 film "Carnal Knowledge," directed by Mike Nichols and starring Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1986 film "Popeye," directed by Robert Altman and starring Robin Williams.

In recent years, Feiffer has continued to work in both cartooning and playwriting. His graphic novel "Kill My Mother" was published in 2014 and received critical acclaim. He also wrote the play "The Man in the Ceiling," which premiered at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, New York, in 2017.

Feiffer has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1986, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. He has also been honored with the Reuben Award, the National Cartoonists Society's highest honor, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical for "The Man in the Ceiling."

Feiffer's contributions to the world of cartooning and playwriting have been significant, and his work continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Play

Jules Feiffer, Grown Ups

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Play

Jules Feiffer, Knock Knock


winner
Obie Awards - 1969 - Performance

Jules Feiffer , Little Murders

News


THE PEOPLE VS. LENNY BRUCE Comes to the Garry Marshall Theatre in July

The People vs. Lenny Bruce is the third segment of 'All The Court's A Stage,' a series of plays that are based on seven of Martin Garbus‘ cases. With a dramatic adaptation by Susan Charlotte from the 1964 obscenity case, and directed by Antony Marsellis, it will make its Los Angeles premiere at Garry Marshall Theatre July 21st and 22nd.
Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl Join Dramatists Guild Council

Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl have joined The Dramatists Guild Council, the leadership team of the Guild.
Adam Guettel, Austin Pendleton and More Will Be Honored with Dramatists Guild Awards

The Dramatists Guild previously announced that playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He will be joined by two additional recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.
TheatreWorks Reveals Lineup For 2024-25 Season of World and Regional Premieres, Commissions, and More

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has announced its 54th season—a lineup of works to be presented October 2024 through July 2025. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Christopher Durang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards

Playwright Christopher Durang is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Durang and about the award!
22 Theater Books for Your Winter 2024 Reading List

The weather outside might still be frightful for a while, but what better time to stay in and snuggle up with a great Broadway read? Check out our complete Winter 2024 reading list!
THE PEOPLE VERSUS LENNY BRUCE Comes to 3 West Club This Week

Food For Thought Productions continues celebrating the oft-neglected one-act play and theatre at its best with Award-winning actors, writers and directors, with a unique series set for its 2023 Season. Learn more about The People Versus Lenny Bruce and find out how to get tickets here!
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Launches Critical Fundraising Campaign to Raise $3M

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the nationally acclaimed theatre company founded in Palo Alto in 1970, has announced the devastating after-effects of the COVID pandemic have put its continuation at serious risk.
Al Hirschfeld Exhibition Extended Through Late June at The Museum of Broadway

The Museum of Broadway's inaugural special exhibit, The American Theatre As Seen by Hirschfeld, has been extended by popular demand.
Samuel D. Hunter, Sanaz Toossi and More Receive 2023 Dramatists Guild Awards

The Dramatists Guild of America has announced the first recipients of their 2023 Awards. Learn how to purchase tickets!
James Monroe Iglehart-Directed SPELLING BEE And More Announced For TheatreWorks Silicon Valley 53rd Season

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has announced its 53rd season to be presented October 2023 through June 2024.
Al Hirschfeld Exhibition Extended Through End of April at The Museum of Broadway

NINA-hunters rejoice… The new Museum of Broadway in Times Square's inaugural special exhibition, “The American Theatre As Seen By Hirschfeld,” has been extended, by popular demand.
Leni Riefenstahl Comedy Premieres at UNITED SOLOFEST 2023

Picture Pending Productions present the World Premiere of LENI'S LAST LAMENT, by Gil Kofman. Directed by Richard Caliban (OBIE and Outer Critics Circle award-winning production of Mac Wellman's Crowbar) and starring OBIE winner Jodie Markell. Part of the United SoloFest Saturday March 25th at 7pm on Theater Row, 410 W. 42nd St. NYC. 
Max Ehrlich Will Lead an Industry Presentation of BONJOUR MON AMOUR

Bonjour Mon Amour written by Richard Hackley will get an invite-only industry presentation on February 16. It will be directed by Jamibeth Margolis, with musical direction by Andrew Wheeler.
Broadway's James D. Gish Heads A Distinguished Cast In BON JOUR, THE MUSICAL

Richard Hackley's new musical, 'Bonjour Mon Amour the Musical,' scheduled for two special showings at CAM Studios in New York City.
Richard Hackley Returns With BONJOUR MON AMOUR, THE MUSICAL Next Month

Richard Hackley took his degree in music education and wrote music and played percussion throughout his life. While always a sideline, Richard has stayed active in the industry. Today – being mentored by Broadway producer Ken Davenport as part of his acclaimed TheatreMakers Program – Richard penned a “good old-fashioned musical” with a very timely topic.
Richard Hackley to Return To NYC With BONJOUR MON AMOUR THE MUSICAL in February

Richard Hackley will return to the NY scene with 'Bonjour Mon Amour the Musical' Two special presentations - 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - on Thursday, February 16 at CAM Studios.
Interview: Theatre Life with Aaron Posner

Today's subject Aaron Posner is what I call a GOD of DC theatre. He is arguably one of the best interpreters of Shakespeare, Chekov, and so much more. His current production of The Tempest (co-director and co-adapter with Teller, yes, of Penn and Teller) is onstage at Round House Theatre through January 15th. The show is a co-production with Aaron's frequent DC theatre home Folger Theatre.
Review: A FUNNY THING Happened in a Relatively Short Play with the Unspeakably Long Title

So here we are with a loud reminder of our mortal limits - not to mention the 'acceptable' limits of a public joke and a brazen sexual encounter - as Ms. Feiffer regards our presumed taboos with a shrewd riposte. I'm reminded of H.G. Wells' famous denouncement of the 'irreverent laugh,' man's presumed default from the paucity of insight into the natural order of things. Yet, in the playwright's judgment, irreverence is a natural byproduct of bottled outrage. There's no place in a sane world to land a good joke about terminal cancer - but now and then, wisdom takes the form of a middle finger, and with that comes a wink of personal advantage. Halley Feiffer attempts to reveal the unpredictable guffaw on the other side of grief; you have to face the uglies head-on, is all.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Jules Feiffer written?

Jules Feiffer has written 15 shows including The Apple Tree (Source Material), Little Murders (Playwright), Little Murders (Playwright), Oh! Calcutta! (Material), The White House Murder Case (Playwright), Knock Knock (Playwright), Knock Knock (Playwright), Jules Feiffer's Hold Me! (Author), Grown Ups (Playwright), A Think Piece (Playwright), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), Carnal Knowledge (Playwright), Grown Ups (Playwright), Short Talks on the Universe (Playwright), A Bad Friend (Playwright).

What awards has Jules Feiffer been nominated for?

Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Grown Ups, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Knock Knock and Performance (Obie Awards) for Little Murders.

What awards has Jules Feiffer won?

Jules Feiffer has won the Obie Award for Performance for his work in Little Murders.

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