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Tennessee Williams Headshot

Tennessee Williams

Date of Death: February 25, 1983 (71)

Birth Place: Columbus, MS, USA

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BIO

One of America's greatest playwrights and certainly the greatest ever from the South, Tennessee Williams wrote fiction and motion picture screenplays, but he is acclaimed primarily for his plays, nearly all of which are set in the South, but which at their best rise above regionalism to approach universal themes. Tennessee Williams drew heavily on his family experiences in his writings. When The Glass Menagerie hit Broadway in 1945, it not only changed Tennessee Williams' life, it revolutionized American theatre. A Streetcar Named Desire, The Night of the Iguana and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are some of his other masterpieces. Among his many awards, Williams won two Pulitzer Prizes and four New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. In addition to 25 full-length plays, Williams produced dozens of short plays and screenplays, two novels, a novella, 60 short stories, more than 100 poem and an autobiography. His works have been translated into at least 27 languages, and countless productions of his work have been staged around the world.

Photos

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Revival

Tennessee WilliamsA Streetcar Named Desire

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, Not About Nightingales

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

Tennessee WilliamsSweet Bird Of Youth


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1962 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, The Night of the Iguana

Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, The Night of the Iguana


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1958 - Best Play

Tennessee WilliamsCat on a Hot Tin Roof

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1955 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1955 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Tennessee Williams, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof


winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Play

Tennessee Williams, The Rose Tattoo


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1948 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1945 - Best American Play

Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie

Videos

News


Review Roundup: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Almeida Theatre

See what the critics are saying about Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Almeida Theatre. Read the reviews for the production starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and learn more!
Review: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, Almeida Theatre

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Kingsley Ben-Adir lead a fine cast in an impressive, if gruelling, examination of the destructive power of mendacity
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld New Orleans Awards; HADESTOWN TEEN EDITION at Bay Area Performing Arts Leads Best Musical!

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld New Orleans Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Review: THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Theatre 29

What did our critic think of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Theatre 29?
Chicago Premiere Of MR. PARKER to be Presented at Open Space Arts

Open Space Arts will stage the Chicago premiere of MR. PARKER, a drama by Michael McKeever. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
The Tennessee Williams Festival To Host Writer's Resolutions Virtual Retreat

The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival will host a Writer's Resolutions Retreat on January 4 from 1-6:45 pm CST.
DRIVING MISS DAISY Announced At Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre will present the heartwarming and thought-provoking classic story DRIVING MISS DAISY as part of their 216th season of dreams.
Robin Lord Taylor and Brandon Flynn to Star in NY Premiere of KOWALSKI

Kowalski, a new play by Gregg Ostrin, directed by Colin Hanlon, that delves deep into the mind of one of America’s most iconic playwrights, Tennessee Williams, as he meets Marlon Brando for the first time will get its New York Debut. Learn how to attend.
Leonard Bernstein's CANDIDE to be Presented at South Florida Symphony Orchestra

Glitter and be gay! South Florida Symphony Orchestra will open its 27th Key West Icons & Rebels Masterworks season with its premiere of Leonard Bernstein's satirical masterpiece Candide! Learn how to purchase tickets.
L.A. Theatre Works Releases Four Audio Plays By Tennessee Willams

L.A. Theatre Works has announced the availability of four audio theater productions of classic plays by Tennessee Williams.
Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW New Orleans Awards

Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld New Orleans Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Kara Young & More Will Star in PURPOSE on Broadway

Complete casting has been announced for the highly-anticipated Broadway transfer of Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ new play, PURPOSE. Check out who has joined the cast!
CANDIDE to Open South Florida Symphony Orchestra's 27th Season

Glitter and be gay! South Florida Symphony Orchestra will open its 27th Key West Icons & Rebels Masterworks season with its premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s satirical masterpiece Candide! Learn how to purchase tickets.
Forrest Malloy's NINA To Premiere At Theaterlab This Winter

Nina, a new play by two-time O'Neill semi-finalist Forrest Malloy, is set to premiere in a strictly limited engagement at Theaterlab. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’S CAMINO REAL Will Receive Industry Reading Directed by Austin Pendleton

La Femme Theatre Productions has announced an invite-only industry presentation of Tennessee Williams’s Camino Real, directed by Austin Pendleton, set for this month.
First Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW New Orleans Awards

Check out the first stats for the 2024 BroadwayWorld New Orleans Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
John David Washington Expresses Desire to Return to the Stage

In a new interview, The Piano Lesson's John David Washington shared his love for the theatre and his eagerness to do a play by Shakespeare or Tennessee Williams.
See Lorna Luft & Andrea McArdle and More at 54 Below in December

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lorna Luft and Andrea McCardle and more.
Christine Dwyer to Join BROADWAY BARFLY at The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present “Broadway Barfly,” a zesty evening with comedian, actor, singer, and YouTube creator Robert Driemeyer. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Wilma Theater Extends Regional Premiere Co-Production Of THE COMEUPPANCE

Due to popular demand, the Philadelphia-based theater company The Wilma Theater has announced an extension of its ongoing regional premiere presentation of the critically acclaimed play The Comeuppance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Tennessee Williams written?

Tennessee Williams has written 35 shows including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Playwright), You Touched Me (Playwright), Summer and Smoke (Playwright), Orpheus Descending (Lyricist), Garden District (Playwright), Sweet Bird of Youth (Playwright), I Rise in Flames, Cried the Phoenix (Playwright), The Purification (Playwright), Period of Adjustment (Playwright), The Night of the Iguana (Playwright), The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore (Playwright), The Rose Tattoo (Playwright), The Seven Descents of Myrtle (Playwright), In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel (Playwright), Camino Real (Playwright), Out Cry (Playwright), Battle of Angels (Playwright), Serafina (Source Material), Summer and Smoke (Playwright), Vieux Carre (Playwright), Clothes for a Summer Hotel (Playwright), Ten by Tennessee (Playwright), Kingdom of Earth (Playwright), The Red Devil Battery Sign (Playwright), Not About Nightingales (Playwright), Tennessee Williams Remembered (Author), Something Cloudy, Something Clear (Playwright), Five By Tenn (Playwright), The Glass Menagerie (Playwright), A Streetcar Named Desire (Playwright), Suddenly Last Summer (Playwright), The Eccentricities Of A Nightingale (Playwright), The Two-Character Play (Playwright), 2 By Tennessee Williams (Playwright), Talisman Roses (Playwright).

What awards has Tennessee Williams been nominated for?

Tennessee Williams has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for "A Streetcar Named Desire," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Not About Nightingales," Best Revival of a Play or Comedy at the Olivier Awards for "Sweet Bird Of Youth," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Night of the Iguana," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Night of the Iguana," Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Cat on A Hot Tin Roof," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Rose Tattoo," Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "A Streetcar Named Desire," and Best American Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Glass Menagerie."

What awards has Tennessee Williams won?

Tennessee Williams has won several awards for his plays. Some of his notable wins include the Best American Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Night of the Iguana," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "A Streetcar Named Desire," and "The Glass Menagerie." He also received the Best Play award from the Evening Standard Awards for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and the Tony Award for Best Play for "The Rose Tattoo." Additionally, Williams was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

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