Michael Cristofer

Michael Cristofer is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. He was born on January 22, 1945, in Trenton, New Jersey. Cristofer attended the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He later went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama.

Cristofer made his Broadway debut in 1977 with his play "The Shadow Box," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play explores the lives of three terminally ill patients and their families as they come to terms with death. Cristofer's play was also adapted into a television movie, which won five Emmy Awards.

In addition to his success as a playwright, Cristofer has also had a successful career as a screenwriter. He wrote the screenplay for the 1985 film "Falling in Love," which starred Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1994 film "The Bonfire of the Vanities," which was based on the novel by Tom Wolfe.

Cristofer has also appeared in a number of films and television shows throughout his career. He had a recurring role on the television series "Rubicon" in 2010 and has also appeared on "American Horror Story," "Ray Donovan," and "Mr. Robot." Cristofer has also appeared in films such as "The Witches of Eastwick," "Die Hard with a Vengeance," and "The Shadow Box."

Despite his success in film and television, Cristofer has always remained connected to the theater. In 2006, he returned to Broadway to star in the revival of Arthur Miller's "A View from the Bridge." Cristofer played the role of Alfieri, a lawyer who serves as the play's narrator. The production was well-received by critics and earned several Tony Award nominations.

Cristofer has also had success as a director. He directed the 1997 film "Original Sin," which starred Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie. He also directed the 2001 film "Gia," which starred Jolie in the title role. The film tells the story of Gia Carangi, a supermodel who died of AIDS in the 1980s.

In addition to his work in theater, film, and television, Cristofer is also a poet. His collection of poems, "The Glass House," was published in 1981. The collection explores themes of love, loss, and mortality.

Cristofer has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. In addition to his Pulitzer Prize for "The Shadow Box," he has also won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in "The Shadow Box." He has also been nominated for several Emmy Awards for his work in television.

In addition to his work as a writer and actor, Cristofer is also a professor. He has taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, and at the Columbia University School of the Arts.

Cristofer's work has had a significant impact on American theater and film. His plays and screenplays have explored complex themes and characters, and his performances as an actor have been praised for their depth and nuance. Cristofer's contributions to the arts have earned him a place among the most respected and talented artists of his generation.