Neil Simon

Birth Place: Bronx, NY, USA

Get Neil Simon Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Neil Simon 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.

Neil Simon Photos

Neil Simon Productions

 
[West End, 2024]
Writer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Adaptation
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Theatre Owner / Operator

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Sketches
Bookwriter
Sketches
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

Neil Simon Movies

Come Blow Your Horn
[ 1963 ] writer
After the Fox
[ 1966 ] writer
Barefoot in the Park
[ 1967 ] writer
The Out of Towners
[ 1970 ] writer
Star Spangled Girl
[ 1971 ] writer
Plaza Suite
[ 1971 ] writer
Last of the Red Hot Lovers
[ 1972 ] writer
The Heartbreak Kid
[ 1972 ] writer
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
[ 1975 ] writer
The Sunshine Boys
[ 1975 ] writer
Murder by Death
[ 1976 ] writer
The Goodbye Girl
[ 1977 ] writer
The Cheap Detective
[ 1978 ] writer
California Suite
[ 1978 ] writer
Chapter Two
[ 1979 ] writer
Seems Like Old Times
[ 1980 ] writer
Only When I Laugh
[ 1981 ] producer
I Ought to Be in Pictures
[ 1982 ] producer
Max Dugan Returns
[ 1983 ] producer
The Slugger's Wife
[ 1985 ] writer
Brighton Beach Memoirs
[ 1986 ] writer
Biloxi Blues
[ 1988 ] writer
The Marrying Man
[ 1991 ] writer
The Odd Couple II
[ 1998 ] producer

Neil Simon Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 1997 - Best Comedy

Neil SimonLaughter On The 23rd Floor

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Comedy

Neil SimonLost In Yonkers

Drama Desk Awards - 1991 - Outstanding New Play

Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers


winner
Drama League Awards - 1991 - Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Neil Simon


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1991 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers


winner
Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers

The Pulitzer Prize - 1987 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Neil Simon, Broadway Bound

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Broadway Bound

Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Play

Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1985 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues


winner
Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Biloxi Blues

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Play

Neil Simon, Brighton Beach Memoirs


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1983 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Brighton Beach Memoirs

Olivier Awards - 1980 - Musical of the Year

Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song

Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Music

Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song

Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Book of a Musical

Neil Simon, They're Playing Our Song

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Chapter Two

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Sunshine Boys

Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Last of the Red Hot Lovers

Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Plaza Suite

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Odd Couple


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Neil Simon , The Odd Couple

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Neil Simon, The Odd Couple

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Play

Neil Simon, Barefoot in the Park

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Musical

Neil Simon, Little Me

Neil Simon Videos

Neil Simon News


The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society Will Perform THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, will present The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 21, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 21, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Interview: Andrew Lippa on Being One of The Heroes of The Story for his Musical BIG FISH

Composer Andrew Lippa is probably best known for his musical The Addams Family but his work spans far beyond that one show. He wrote additional songs for the Broadway production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and wrote the off-Broadway version of The Wild Party.

Tickets Go On Sale For HAIRSPRAY in Dallas This Week

The Dallas engagement of HAIRSPRAY  will go on sale Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play June 18-30 in Dallas at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Feature: 2024-25 SEASON ANNOUNCED at Desert Theatreworks

Desert TheatreWorks has announced its highly anticipated lineup for the 2024-2025 season, promising to captivate audiences with a diverse selection of productions that promise to entertain, inspire, and provoke thought!

Kennedy Center Teams Up With Netflix To Stream Mark Twain Prize

The Kennedy Center collaborates with Netflix to stream the Mark Twain Prize, and sets the cast. Get the latest updates on this exciting partnership and the star-studded cast lineup. This year's program will feature a cast of leading performers, including Dave Burd aka “Lil Dicky,” Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon, Tiffany Haddish, and more.

Marsha Mason and Michael Gaston to Star in ALL MY SONS at Hartford Stage

Marsha Mason and Michael Gaston will lead the cast of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons at Hartford Stage. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Spotlight: ALAN RUCK at Patchogue Theatre

An Evening with Alan Ruck at Patchogue Theatre

Review: RUMORS at Carlisle Theatre

The Players on High at Carlisle Theatre, under the leadership of director Ben Greenberg with artistic director/acting coach Ashley Byerts and comedy coach Catie MO, presents Neil Simon's Rumors, March 15-24.

Review: Neil Simon's LITTLE ME at TheatreZone

What did our critic think of LITTLE ME at TheatreZone?

Cast Set For THE ODD COUPLE in Melbourne and Sydney

The full cast has been announced for Neil Simon’s Tony Award-winning comedy The Odd Couple, which plays at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from May and Theatre Royal Sydney from June.

Review: ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD at Little Theatre Of Mechanicsburg

When it’s over, a good show should leave the audience thinking about more than “where did I park my car?”.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead definitely fits this bill.

DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS World Premiere & More Set for Palm Beach Dramaworks 25th Season

Palm Beach Dramaworks will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2024-25 with a  roster of plays that epitomize its commitment to “Theatre to Think About.” Learn about full programming and see how to purchase tickets.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 7, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 7, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Linda Purl and Diva Jazz Orchestra Bring BIG BAND ROMANCE to Birdland in April

Birdland has announced that singer/actress Linda Purl, joined with internationally, acclaimed DIVA Jazz Orchestra, returns to its historic stage on Monday April 1 at 7pm.

Interview: Laura Garza And Chris Munoz of I-DJ at Teatro Audaz

BroadwayWorld got to sit down with Laura Garza, the director of the upcoming show, I-DJ, at Teatro Audaz March 7-March 17. Joining her was actor Chris Munoz, who plays Warren Peace in the show. Their passion and commitment to the themes and story of this play was inspiring and exciting!

THE LAST YIDDISH SPEAKER Comes to Philadelphia This Month

What if the January 6, 2021 insurrection was successful? The Last Yiddish Speaker by Deborah Zoe Laufer imagines this alternate reality where a white supremacist regime has come into power. Learn more about the play here!

Cast Set For TheatreZone's LITTLE ME This Month

Get ready for TheatreZone's latest production, LITTLE ME, debuting on March 7. Experience the talent of lead actor Adolpho Blaire and director Mark Danni in this anticipated performance.

Previews: LOVE, LIFE, AND THE PURSUIT at Script 2 Stage 2 Screen

Script2Stage2Screen will present a fully staged reading of a new original comedy, Life, Love, and the Pursuit, written by Shelly Chester and directed by Don Cilluffo.

Review: GRAND HORIZONS by Bess Wohl at HOWICK LITTLE THEATRE

What did our critic think of GRAND HORIZONS at HOWICK LITTLE THEATRE? 50 years – it’s a milestone in any marriage! Thousands of meals eaten together, years of dealing with everything marriage, cohabitation and parenthood can throw at you … Superbly directed with expertise by Penel Keegan with her eye for precision in detail, timing and well-crafted staging, Excellent from the entire cast with all the characters  played with physical and psychological truth, motivational credibility, well-shaped dialogue, and vivid facial expression.

Neil Simon FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Neil Simon written?

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).

What awards has Neil Simon been nominated for?

Neil Simon has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Best Comedy at the Olivier Awards for "Laughter On The 23rd Floor" and "Lost In Yonkers," Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Lost in Yonkers," Unique Contribution to the Theatre at the Drama League Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Lost in Yonkers" and "Broadway Bound," Best Play at the Tony Awards for various productions such as "Biloxi Blues," "Brighton Beach Memoirs," and "The Odd Couple," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "They're Playing Our Song," and Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Little Me." Neil Simon has also received nominations for Outstanding Music, Best Book of a Musical, and several other categories at prestigious award ceremonies like the Drama Desk Awards, New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and The Pulitzer Prize.

What awards has Neil Simon won?

Neil Simon has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Unique Contribution to the Theatre from the Drama League Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Lost in Yonkers," the Tony Award for Best Play for "Lost in Yonkers" and "Biloxi Blues," the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play for "Brighton Beach Memoirs," and another Tony Award for Best Play for "The Odd Couple."

Get Neil Simon Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos