Neil Simon
Birth Place: Bronx, NY, USA
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BIO
Neil Simon was an American playwright, screenwriter, and author who was born on July 4, 1927, in The Bronx, New York City. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and prolific playwrights in American history, with a career that spanned over five decades. Simon's work often focused on the trials and tribulations of middle-class life, and his plays were known for their wit, humor, and insight.
Simon began his career as a comedy writer in the 1940s, working on radio and television shows. He made his Broadway debut in 1961 with the play "Come Blow Your Horn," which was a commercial success and ran for over a year. This was followed by a string of successful plays, including "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple," "Sweet Charity," and "Plaza Suite."
"The Odd Couple," which premiered on Broadway in 1965, is perhaps Simon's most famous play. It tells the story of two mismatched roommates, Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison, and their hilarious attempts to live together. The play was a huge commercial success and was later adapted into a hit movie and a popular television series.
Simon's success on Broadway earned him numerous awards and accolades, including four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play "Lost in Yonkers." He was also inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1983.
In addition to his work on Broadway, Simon also wrote for film and television. He wrote the screenplays for several successful movies, including "The Goodbye Girl," "The Heartbreak Kid," and "Biloxi Blues." He also wrote for television, creating the popular sitcom "The Odd Couple" and writing for shows such as "Your Show of Shows" and "The Phil Silvers Show."
Despite his success, Simon's personal life was marked by tragedy. He was married five times, and his second wife, actress Joan Baim, died by suicide in 1973. Simon wrote about his experiences in his play "Chapter Two," which premiered on Broadway in 1977.
Simon continued to write and produce plays well into his later years. His last Broadway production, "Rose's Dilemma," premiered in 2003. Simon passed away on August 26, 2018, at the age of 91. His legacy as one of the greatest American playwrights of all time lives on through his work, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.
In conclusion, Neil Simon was a prolific and successful playwright, screenwriter, and author who left an indelible mark on American culture. His plays were known for their wit, humor, and insight into the trials and tribulations of middle-class life. He won numerous awards and accolades for his work, including four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Despite personal tragedy, Simon continued to write and produce plays well into his later years, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
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Productions
Writing
Bookwriter
Movies
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Awards and Nominations
Neil SimonLaughter On The 23rd Floor
Neil SimonLost In Yonkers
Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers
winner
Neil Simon
winner
Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers
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Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers
Neil Simon, Broadway Bound
Neil Simon, Broadway Bound
Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues
Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues
winner
Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues
Neil Simon, Brighton Beach Memoirs
winner
Neil Simon, Brighton Beach Memoirs
Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song
Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song
Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song
Neil Simon, Chapter Two
Neil Simon, The Sunshine Boys
Neil Simon, The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Neil Simon, Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Neil Simon, Plaza Suite
Neil Simon, The Odd Couple
winner
Neil Simon , The Odd Couple
Neil Simon, The Odd Couple
Neil Simon, Barefoot in the Park
Neil Simon, Little Me
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News
by Stephi Wild - Apr 25, 2026
Laurie Metcalf is back on Broadway! The actress of stage and screen is back in New York, starring in Death of a Salesman. As Metcalf takes her next Broadway bow, we're looking back on some of her many iconic roles.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 24, 2026
Michael, the new biopic about Michael Jackson, grossed $12.6 million at the box office in preview showings on Wednesday and Thursday. This marks the highest previews in sales for a musical biopic to date.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2026
Henry Winkler has seen enormous onscreen success over the years, but his first Broadway outing was far from pleasant. Watch him reflect on the experience during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2026
Rubicon Theatre Company has revealed the cast and creative team for Eleanor, a tour-de-force solo performance about the remarkable First Lady whose legacy continues to inspire the world.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2026
Theatre Three revealed its 2026-27 season, featuring Spring Awakening, a new commission Gremlins! (mostly), Neil Simon's Rumors, and more, with rush tickets, and student discounted tickets available.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 20, 2026
Center Theatre Group has added ten new members to its Board of Directors: Stephen Cheung, Nancy Dennis, Sutton Foster, Jennifer Lewis, and more, bringing the number up to 56.
by Theresa Bertram - Apr 20, 2026
There’s something incredibly special about watching a young performer step into material that asks more of them—not just as an actor, but as a storyteller with empathy and insight. That’s exactly what Keegan Washington, a student at Little Rock Central High School, accomplished in his recent work in Brighton Beach Memoirs, bringing both sensitivity and thoughtfulness to a role that required emotional depth beyond his years.
by Patrick Doss - Apr 18, 2026
Rumors is a classic Neil Simon farce that turns one elegant dinner party into a complete disaster. As the night unravels, secrets, suspicions, and wild fabrications pile up along with the laughter.
by Jared Reynolds - Apr 15, 2026
If the success of a comedy may be judged by the laughter, then based on the laughter at the Sherman Playhouse, 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor' is a great success!
by R. Scott Reedy - Apr 14, 2026
Seven years ago, an already hot summer in Boston heated up even more during a pre-Broadway tryout of a truncated version of playwright Matthew Lombardo’s “Tea at Five” at the Huntington Theatre when its star, Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway, was fired after allegations that she physically and verbally assaulted crew members on the troubled production.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2026
Emmy Award-winning comedic legend Jon Cryer will return to his theater roots and join the cast as Vice Principal Douglas Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2026
Brandon Lee Harris, who originated the role of ‘Michael' in the First National Tour of the Tony Award-winning musical MJ, will return to Broadway and take over the role of ‘Michael' from original Broadway cast member Tavon Olds-Sample
by R. Scott Reedy - Apr 12, 2026
What did our critic think of BREAKING THE CODE at Central Square Theater?
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 10, 2026
City Theatre Austin will present THE ODD COUPLE by Neil Simon from May 1 through May 17 at Genesis Creative Collective. The production will be directed by Tracy Hurd and will feature Zachary Gamble as Oscar Madison and Darwin Ragsdale as Felix Ungar.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 8, 2026
The final trailer has been released for Michael, the highly anticipated biopic about music icon Michael Jackson. Starring Michael's nephew Jaafar Jackson as the late musician, the trailer showcases several musical performances in the movie. Check it out now, along with a new image.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2026
The Sherman Players launch their Centennial Season with Neil Simon's LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, running April 10-26 in Sherman, CT, with a half-price preview night on April 9.
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - Apr 5, 2026
Center Rep presents Neil Simon’s classic tale of family and obligations, LOST IN YONKERS. In a world of sound bites, TikTok, and AI images, this show reminds us that when it comes to family, things haven’t really changed that much. With humor and heart, the show demonstrates that even in the midst of hurt and misunderstanding, there’s still no place like home.
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 3, 2026
The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is one of the most prestigious honors in American theater, celebrating outstanding works that have made a significant impact on the stage. Here's a closer look at what the Pulitzer Prize for Drama is, how it works, and why it matters.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2026
Florida Repertory Theatre raised $1,200,222 at its March 28 gala at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, the highest total in the theatre's 28-year history, with over 300 guests attending.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2026
You can now get a first look at production photos from Neil Simon’s Lost In Yonkers, performing at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, directed by Nancy Carlin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Neil Simon has written 37 shows including Catch a Star (Sketches), Joy Ride (Sketches), Come Blow Your Horn (Playwright), Little Me (Bookwriter), Sweet Charity (Bookwriter), The Star-Spangled Girl (Playwright), Plaza Suite (Playwright), Promises, Promises (Bookwriter), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Playwright), The Gingerbread Lady (Playwright), The Prisoner of Second Avenue (Playwright), The Sunshine Boys (Playwright), The Good Doctor (Playwright), God's Favorite (Playwright), California Suite (Playwright), Chapter Two (Playwright), They're Playing Our Song (Bookwriter), I Ought to Be in Pictures (Playwright), Fools (Playwright), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Playwright), Biloxi Blues (Playwright), Broadway Bound (Playwright), Rumors (Playwright), I Ought to Be in Pictures (Playwright), Lost in Yonkers (Playwright), Jake's Women (Playwright), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Playwright), London Suite (Playwright), The Goodbye Girl (Bookwriter), Proposals (Playwright), Hotel Suite (Playwright), The Dinner Party (Playwright), 45 Seconds From Broadway (Playwright), Rose's Dilemma (Playwright), The Odd Couple (Playwright), Barefoot in the Park (Playwright), The Neil Simon Plays (Playwright).
Best Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Best Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Lost In Yonkers , Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lost in Yonkers, Unique Contribution to the Theatre (Drama League Awards), The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Lost in Yonkers, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Lost in Yonkers, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Broadway Bound, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Broadway Bound, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Biloxi Blues, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Biloxi Blues, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Biloxi Blues, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Brighton Beach Memoirs, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Brighton Beach Memoirs, Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for They're Playing Our Song, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for They're Playing Our Song, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for They're Playing Our Song , Best Play (Tony Awards) for Chapter Two , Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Sunshine Boys, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Plaza Suite, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Odd Couple, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Odd Couple, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Odd Couple, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Barefoot in the Park and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Little Me.
Neil Simon has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Unique Contribution to the Theatre from the Drama League Awards. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Lost in Yonkers, as well as Best Play at the Tony Awards for both Lost in Yonkers and Biloxi Blues. Additionally, he earned Best Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Brighton Beach Memoirs and received another Best Play award at the Tony Awards for The Odd Couple.
Videos