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Samuel Beckett

Date of Death: December 22, 1989

Birth Place: Foxrock, County Dublin, IRELAND

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BIO

Samuel Beckett is widely regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1906, Beckett attended Trinity College Dublin and later taught at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He wrote his first novel, Dream of Fair to Middling Women, in 1932, but it was never published during his lifetime.



Beckett's first major play, Waiting for Godot, premiered in Paris in 1953 and is now considered a seminal work of the Theatre of the Absurd. The play's two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait for the eponymous Godot, who never arrives. The play's themes of existentialism, meaninglessness, and the human condition struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. Waiting for Godot has since been performed countless times around the world and has been translated into over 20 languages.

Beckett's other major plays include Endgame (1957), Krapp's Last Tape (1958), and Happy Days (1961). These works continue to be studied and performed today, and have cemented Beckett's reputation as a master of modernist drama.

In addition to his plays, Beckett also wrote a number of novels, including Molloy (1951), Malone Dies (1951), and The Unnamable (1953). These works are known for their experimental style, complex themes, and exploration of the limits of language.

Beckett was also a prolific writer of poetry, essays, and short stories. His work often dealt with themes of alienation, suffering, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to offer none. Beckett's writing is marked by its spare, minimalist style, which he developed in response to what he saw as the excesses of modern literature.

Beckett's influence on the arts cannot be overstated. His work has inspired countless writers, artists, and filmmakers, and his ideas about the nature of existence and the human condition continue to resonate with audiences today.

Despite his success as a writer, Beckett was notoriously private and reclusive. He rarely gave interviews and shunned publicity. He spent the last years of his life in a nursing home in Paris, where he died in 1989 at the age of 83.

Beckett's most recent work is his posthumously published novella, Echo's Bones, which was released in 2014. The work was originally intended to be the final chapter of his novel, Murphy, but was cut by his publisher at the time. The novella tells the story of a man who is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife, and explores themes of memory, loss, and the nature of reality.

Productions

Waiting for GodotWaiting for Godot
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Playwright
Krapp's Last Tape
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Director

Writing

Happy Days
Playwright
Beckett/Albee
Playwright
Endgame
Playwright
Happy Days
Playwright
Playwright
Endgame
Playwright
Playwright
Play/ The Lover
Playwright
Happy Days
Playwright
Endgame
Playwright
Playwright
Embers
Playwright
Rockaby
Playwright
Endgame
Playwright
Happy Days
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Mercier & Camier
Source Material
I'll Go On
Source Material
Beckett Shorts
Playwright
All That Fall
Playwright
Happy Days
Playwright
Endgame
Playwright
Beckett Shorts
Playwright

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Revival

Samuel BeckettEndgame


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Special Citation

Samuel Beckett


winner
Obie Awards - 1984 - Playwriting

Samuel Beckett, Ohio Impromptu


winner
Obie Awards - 1984 - Playwriting

Samuel Beckett, What Where


winner
Obie Awards - 1984 - Playwriting

Samuel Beckett, Catastrophe


winner
Obie Awards - 1984 - Playwriting

Samuel BeckettPocket


winner
Obie Awards - 1973 - Best Foreign Play

Samuel Beckett, Not I


winner
Obie Awards - 1964 - Best Play

Samuel Beckett Play


winner
Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Foreign Play

Samuel Beckett, Happy Days


winner
Obie Awards - 1960 - Distinguished Play

Samuel Beckett, Krapp's Last Tape


winner
Obie Awards - 1958 - Best Foreign Play

Samuel Beckett, Endgame


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1955 - Most Controversial Play

Samuel BeckettWaiting for Godot

Videos

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News


ENDGAME Production Team Announced At Facility Theatre Photo
ENDGAME Production Team Announced At Facility Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 22, 2025

Chicago's Facility Theatre has announced the crew of its upcoming production of Samuel Beckett's ENDGAME, directed by Yasen Peyankov. The production runs May 24 - June 29, 2025.
THE OSTRICH World Premiere Cast And Creative Team Revealed Photo
THE OSTRICH World Premiere Cast And Creative Team Revealed
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 17, 2025

The Terror Cottas and Chicago Park District have announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Ostrich, written by Wendy A. Schmidt and directed by Eileen Tull.
Washington Stage Guild Unveils 40th Season Including U.S. Premiere of Joe Bravaco’s Photo
Washington Stage Guild Unveils 40th Season Including U.S. Premiere of Joe Bravaco’s THE ONE GOOD THING
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 16, 2025

The 2025-26 productions feature the U.S. premiere of Joe Bravaco’s THE ONE GOOD THING – or “Are ya’ Patrick Swayze?”, Samuel Beckett’s existential classic Happy Days, Patricia Milton’s Accused! and more.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 15, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 15, 2025
by - Apr 15, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 15, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Dates and Theatre Set For WAITING FOR GODOT With Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter Photo
Dates and Theatre Set For WAITING FOR GODOT With Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2025

The dates and theatre have been set for Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, starring Keanu Reeves as ‘Estragon’ and Alex Winter as ‘Vladimir.'
21 Theater Books for Your Spring 2025 Reading List Photo
21 Theater Books for Your Spring 2025 Reading List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 13, 2025

Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 21 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Spring 2025 reading list.
Pamela Rabe Takes on HAPPY DAYS at Sydney Theatre Company Photo
Pamela Rabe Takes on HAPPY DAYS at Sydney Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2025

Australian stage icon Pamela Rabe will take on one of the greatest roles ever written, by one of the 20th century's greatest playwrights, Samuel Beckett in Sydney Theatre Company's Happy Days, playing STC's Wharf 1 Theatre
Olivier Awards 2025- All the Winners! Photo
Olivier Awards 2025- All the Winners!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 6, 2025

The Olivier Awards 2025 were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Beverley Knight and Billy Porter. We have the full list of winners here!
BroadwayWorld UK's Olivier Awards 2025 Predictions Photo
BroadwayWorld UK's Olivier Awards 2025 Predictions
by BWW UK Critics - Apr 4, 2025

Established in 1976, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours. Leading the way this year is Tom Scutt's Fiddler on the Roof which matches Hamilton's record-breaking 13 nominations, represented in every acting and creative category.
Samuel Backett's ENDGAME Comes to Irish Arts Center This Fall Photo
Samuel Backett's ENDGAME Comes to Irish Arts Center This Fall
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2025

In their 50th anniversary year, Irish theatre company Druid will return to New York with a masterpiece from the Irish theatrical canon. Irish Arts Center will present their production of Samuel Beckett's Endgame in the fall 2025 season.
DRAG: THE MUSICAL, OUR CLASS, THREE HOUSES Lead 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Nomination Photo
DRAG: THE MUSICAL, OUR CLASS, THREE HOUSES Lead 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Nominations
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 2, 2025

Nominations for the 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – were just announced. Check out the full list of nominees here!
How to Read Plays Online for Free Photo
How to Read Plays Online for Free
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 29, 2025

Sometimes you want to dive into a great play without making a trip to the library—and luckily, you don’t have to. Whether you're a student, a performer, or just a fan of theatre, there are plenty of places online where you can read full scripts for free from the comfort of home.
Latitude Festival Reveals Listening Post And Bookshop Artists Photo
Latitude Festival Reveals Listening Post And Bookshop Artists
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2025

Celebrated multi-arts festival Latitude has revealed even more of its stellar 2025 lineup. Latitude is much more than a music festival-it's a vibrant celebration of creative expression spanning comedy, theatre, spoken word, and beyond.
NOT I and ROCKABY Are Coming to The Broadwater Black Box Theatre Directed & Performed Photo
NOT I and ROCKABY Are Coming to The Broadwater Black Box Theatre Directed & Performed By Jeni Jones
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2025

Samuel Beckett's NOT I and ROCKABY will return to Hollywood on May 10th for a Limited Engagement. The popular double bill, directed and performed by Jeni Jones. Learn more!
Interview: Lisa D'Amour of THE FROZEN SECTION at Catastrophic Theatre Photo
Interview: Lisa D'Amour of THE FROZEN SECTION at Catastrophic Theatre
by Brett Cullum - Mar 23, 2025

The Frozen Section is set in a grocery store at the edge of the world. It is about a community of people living in a world with far fewer people and a much harder, harder way of living.
TENDING Arrives at Riverside Studios Next Month Photo
TENDING Arrives at Riverside Studios Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2025

Based on over 70 interviews conducted over two years with NHS nurses of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, Tending tells their raw, real and often unheard stories. Learn more here!
Review: Best Medicine Rep's BLAME IT ON BECKETT Photo
Review: Best Medicine Rep's BLAME IT ON BECKETT
by Andrew White - Mar 16, 2025

Best Medicine Rep’s DC premiere of John Morogiello’s Blame it on Beckett is a hilarious reminder that sometimes, the real dramas play out in the back offices of our beloved regional theaters. 
THANKS FOR HAVING ME Will Open at Riverside Studios Next Month Photo
THANKS FOR HAVING ME Will Open at Riverside Studios Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 13, 2025

Featuring Kedar Williams-Stirling and Nell Tiger Free in her stage debut, Thanks for Having Me is a lighthearted and upbeat comedy theatre show set in a classic TV sitcom-style which runs at Riverside Studios in April.
Irish Rep's BECKETT BRIEFS to Stream On Demand in March Photo
Irish Rep's BECKETT BRIEFS to Stream On Demand in March
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 10, 2025

Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Beckett Briefs, three short plays written by Samuel Beckett and directed by Ciarán O’Reilly, will be available for streaming on demand. Learn how to view!
Linda Purl to Star in World Premiere of CRAZY MAMA at Rubicon Theatre Company Photo
Linda Purl to Star in World Premiere of CRAZY MAMA at Rubicon Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 7, 2025

Rubicon Theatre will continue its 2024/2025 Dare to Dream Season with the World Premiere of CRAZY MAMA: A TRUE STORY OF LOVE & MADNESS, written by Ojai resident Sharon Scott Williams and will star Linda Purl.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Samuel Beckett written?

Samuel Beckett has written 23 shows including Embers (Playwright), Play/ The Lover (Playwright), Krapp's Last Tape/ The Zoo Story (Playwright), Happy Days (Playwright), Oh! Calcutta! (Material), Jack MacGowran in the Works of Samuel Beckett (Material), Happy Days/ Act Without Words 1 (Playwright), Krapp's Last Tape/ Not I (Playwright), Mercier & Camier (Source Material), Play and Other Plays (Playwright), Samuel Beckett's Ohio Impromptu, Catastrophe, What Where (Playwright), Rockaby (Playwright), Endgame (Playwright), All Strange Away (Playwright), I'll Go On (Source Material), Happy Days (Playwright), Texts for Nothing (Playwright), Krapp's Last Tape (Playwright), Beckett/Albee (Playwright), Beckett Shorts (Playwright), Waiting for Godot (Playwright), All That Fall (Playwright), Endgame (Playwright).

What awards has Samuel Beckett been nominated for?

Samuel Beckett has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. These include Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for "Endgame," Special Citation at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and multiple nominations for Playwriting at the Obie Awards for plays such as "Ohio Impromptu," "What Where," "Catastrophe," and "Pocket." He has also received nominations for Best Foreign Play and Best Play at the Obie Awards for plays like "Not I," "Play," and "Happy Days," as well as a Distinguished Play nomination for "Krapp's Last Tape." Additionally, Beckett's play "Endgame" was nominated for Best Foreign Play at the Obie Awards, and "Waiting for Godot" was recognized as the Most Controversial Play at the Evening Standard Awards.

What awards has Samuel Beckett won?

Samuel Beckett has won several awards throughout his career. These include a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Playwriting awards from the Obie Awards for "Ohio Impromptu," "What Where," "Catastrophe," and "Pocket," a Best Foreign Play award from the Obie Awards for "Not I," a Best Play award from the Obie Awards for "Play," a Best Foreign Play award from the Obie Awards for "Happy Days," a Distinguished Play award from the Obie Awards for "Krapp's Last Tape," a Best Foreign Play award from the Obie Awards for "Endgame," and a Most Controversial Play award from the Evening Standard Awards for "Waiting for Godot."

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