Tennessee Williams Headshot

Tennessee Williams

Date of Death: February 25, 1983 (71)

Birth Place: Columbus, MS, USA

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Tennessee Williams 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.

Tennessee Williams Photos

Tennessee Williams 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

Tennessee Williams Videos

Tennessee Williams News


Photos: First Look at CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at EPAC


The Ephrata Performing Art Center (EPAC)'s production of Tennessee Williams’ classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is now running through April 27th. Check out photos from the production here!

Southampton Arts Center to Presents TRU by Jay Pressor Allen in June


Southampton Arts Center will present TRU by Jay Pressor Allen, directed by Will Pomerantz, and starring Patrick Christiano.

Lea Delaria And Judy Gold Announce Dates Join BIG GAY CABARET At Mercury Theater


Join Lea Delaria and Judy Gold for a night of laughter and music as they announce dates for the Big Gay Cabaret. Don't miss this exciting event.

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.

Carla Gugino In Talks to Star in Drama from Sebastian Gutierrez


In a new report, it has been announced that actress Carla Gugino is circling a new project from director, partner, and frequent collaborator Sebastian Gutierrez. The upcoming film, titled Night Electricity, is an indie, psychological drama with 'thriller elements' and will be directed by Gutierrez, who also penned the script. Gugino would be one of four female leads in the film, which will be will be produced by David Lancaster.

Cast Set For WEDDING BAND at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre


Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of Alice Childress’ Wedding Band:  A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, directed by Stage Debut Award winner Monique Touko, who returns to the Lyric after the smash-hit production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. 

Mark Ruffalo and Jessica Hecht to Star in IRONWEED at BAM


On May 17th BAM will present IRONWEED: An Evening of Art & Humanity, based on William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre


What did our critic think of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre?

THE FELT MENAGERIE Comes to The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans


The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans will be presenting the world premiere live production of The Felt Menagerie, a comedy spoofing tropes and characters from the plays of its namesake playwright Tennessee Williams.

Tennessee Williams St. Louis Returns With 9th Annual Festival This August


Tennessee Williams St. Louis will return to year-round programming with its 9th Annual Festival, running August 8-18.

Video: First Look At A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Paramount's Copley Theatre.


Get a first look at Paramount Theatre Aurora's production of A Streetcar Named Desire in an all-new video.

UK Premiere Of Family Drama THE BOOK OF GRACE Begins At Arcola Theatre This May


Experience the UK premiere of the intense family drama THE BOOK OF GRACE at Arcola Theatre. This riveting play explores complex family dynamics and promises to leave audiences captivated.

EPAC Will Stage Tennessee Williams' CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF


The Ephrata Performing Art Center will bring one of the greatest plays of all time to its stage when it presents Tennessee Williams' classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, later this month.

Cast Set for Alley Theatre's World Premiere of Thornton Wilder's Unfinished Play THE EMPORIUM


Alley Theatre has revealed the cast of Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

BWW Q&A: Ellen McLaughlin on AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis


Finishing out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ 2023/24 Season is the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning powerhouse drama, August: Osage County by acclaimed contemporary playwright Tracy Letts.

Interview: Jaclyn Bethany of The Fire Weeds with OUTRAGED HEARTS


Exciting news is happening in New Orleans for Tennessee Williams enthusiasts. The Fire Weeds, a new female-focused, grassroots theatre company, is currently running their debut production OUTRAGED HEARTS: THE PRETTY TRAP and INTERIOR: PANIC in association with the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival.

Pascale Roger-McKeever Takes On Open Marriage In FINGERS & SPOONS


Catch the Off-Broadway play, FINGERS & SPOONS, directed by Austin Pendleton, exploring the complexities of an open marriage. Coming soon to SoHo Playhouse.

Pascale Roger-McKeever to Present One-Woman Show FINGERS & SPOONS at SoHo Playhouse


Pascale Roger-McKeever will present the one-woman show Fingers & Spoons at SoHo Playhouse. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: 54 Below Celebrated the Marquis Theater in a Jubilant Night of Song


54 Below is known for its seemingly endless variety of themes as happy reasons to group songs from musical theatre. Here's another, looking at some shows that came to the Marquis, starting in 1986. There were over 30 musicals that played the Marquis Theatre, and nine were revisited with songs and stories at 54 Below.

Larry Owens to Direct Sherie Rene Scott & More in THE DYING GAUL Staged Reading


Co-Founders Patrick Reilly and Tucker Aust have launched The Queer Ensemble. The collective's inaugural event will be a staged reading of Craig Lucas' The Dying Gaul. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Tennessee Williams 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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