John Patrick Shanley (born October 13, 1950) is an American playwright, screenwriter, and director. He won the 1988

Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best screenplay not based upon previously published material. It was created in 1940 as a separate writing award from the Academy Award for Best Story. Beginning with th ...

for the film ''

Moonstruck ''Moonstruck'' is a 1987 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and co-produced by Norman Jewison, written by John Patrick Shanley, and starring Cher, Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello, Olympia Dukakis, and Vincent Gardenia. The film follows L ...

''. His play, '' Doubt: A Parable'', won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2005

Tony Award for Best Play The Tony Award for Best Play (formally, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre) is an annual award given to the best new (non-musical) play on Broadway, as determined by Tony Award voters. There was no award in the Tonys' first yea ...

; he wrote and directed the film adaptation and earned a nomination for the

Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay The Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best screenplay Film adaptation, adapted from previously established material. The most frequently adapted media are novels, but other adapted narrative formats include st ...

Early life and education

Shanley was born into an Irish-American family in

The Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New ...

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

. His mother worked as a telephone operator, and his father was a meat-packer. The neighborhood Shanley grew up in was considered very rough.Witchel, Alex
"The Confessions of John Patrick Shanley"
''The New York Times'', November 7, 2004 Shanley's academic career did not begin well, but ultimately he graduated from

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, th ...

with honors.Saito, Stephen
"IFC Interview: John Patrick Shanley on 'Doubt'"
ifc.com, December 12, 2008 In his program bio for the Broadway production of '' Doubt: A Parable'', he mentions that he was "thrown out of St. Helena's kindergarten, banned from St. Anthony's hot lunch program and expelled from Cardinal Spellman High School." He was heavily influenced by one of his first teachers, Sister

Margaret McEntee Margaret C. McEntee SR. SC., also known by her confirmation name Marita James, (born July 10, 1935) is an American Catholic religious sister and educator who is known as being the inspiration for the character of Sister James in the Pulitzer Priz ...

, on whom he based the character of Sister James in his play, ''Doubt''. While at Cardinal Spellman High School, he saw two school productions that influenced him: ''The Miracle Worker'' and ''Cyrano de Bergerac''. After his freshman year at New York University, Shanley was put on academic probation. He then enlisted in the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through c ...

, serving in a stateside post during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he wrote a novel, then burned it, and returned to the university with the help of the G.I. Bill, and by supporting himself with a series of jobs: elevator operator, house painter, furniture mover, locksmith, bartender. He graduated from New York University as valedictorian in 1977, with a degree in Educational Theatre, and is a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Career

An Evening With John Patrick Shanley (16709004047)

Shanley is the author of more than 23 plays, which have been translated and performed around the world, including 80 productions a year in North America. He has often directed his own productions. He has also written for film; his second film, ''

'' (1987), stars

Nicolas Cage Nicolas Kim Coppola (born January 7, 1964), known professionally as Nicolas Cage, is an American actor and film producer. Born into the Coppola family, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Gui ...

and

Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...

, and won three

Academy Awards The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

, including one for his screenplay. In 1990, Shanley directed his script of ''

Joe Versus the Volcano ''Joe Versus the Volcano'' is a 1990 American romantic comedy film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley and starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Hanks plays a man who, after being told he is dying of a rare disease, accepts a financial offe ...

.'' Shanley also wrote two songs for the movie: "Marooned Without You" and "The Cowboy Song." He wrote the screenplay for the film ''Congo'' (1995), which was based on the

Michael Crichton John Michael Crichton (; October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008) was an American author and filmmaker. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and over a dozen have been adapted into films. His literary works heavily feature tech ...

book. His play '' Doubt: A Parable'' ran on Broadway from March 31, 2005, to July 2, 2006, and won four 2005

Tony Awards The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

(including Best Play), the

Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. F ...

(including Outstanding Play) and the

Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize () is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made ...

for Drama. Shanley directed the 2008 film version, which starred

Meryl Streep Mary Louise Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an American actress. Often described as "the best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly known for her versatility and accent adaptability. She has received numerous accolades throu ...

Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman (July 23, 1967 – February 2, 2014) was an American actor. Known for his distinctive supporting and character roles—typically lowlifes, eccentrics, underdogs, and misfits—he acted in many films and theatrical produc ...

, Amy Adams and

Viola Davis Viola Davis (; born August 11, 1965) is an American actress and producer. The recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Tony Awards, she is the only African-American to achieve the Triple Crow ...

. The screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award, and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.''Doubt: A Parable'', is featured in ''The Fourth Wall'', a book of photographs by

Amy Arbus Amy Arbus (born April 16, 1954) is an American photographer. She teaches portraiture at the International Center of Photography, Anderson Ranch, NORD photography and the Fine Arts Work Center. She has published several books of photography, inclu ...

for which Shanley also wrote the foreword. In 2012, Shanley wrote the libretto for an opera version of '' Doubt: A Parable'', which premiered at the Minnesota Opera in January 2013, with music by

Douglas J. Cuomo Douglas J. Cuomo (born February 13, 1958) is an American television composer. Biography Born in Tucson, Arizona, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and Amherst, Massachusetts, Douglas J. Cuomo began playing the trumpet in grade school and swit ...

. Until then, his experience with opera was not extensive; he had attended a few performances and had listened to recordings. As he worked on the libretto, using many lines that come directly from the play, he describes that his enthusiasm for the form grew. Also in 2012, his play ''Storefront Church'' ran Off-Broadway in a production by the Atlantic Theater Company. The play concerns Bronx residents "whose lives become tangled in unexpected ways when a mortgage goes sour". Storefront Church was also put up by San Francisco Playhouse in San Francisco in December 2013 where it was very well received. His play, '' Outside Mullingar'', opened on Broadway at the

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, formerly the Biltmore Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 261 West 47th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1925, it was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in the neo-Renais ...

, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club, on January 3, 2014 (in previews) and officially on January 23, 2014. The play was directed by Doug Hughes and starred

Debra Messing Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968) is an American actress. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing received short-lived roles on television series such as '' Ned and Stacey'' on Fox (1995–1997) and ...

and Brían F. O'Byrne. The play is set in the Irish countryside. ''Prodigal Son'', which he directed, was produced

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer th ...

by the Manhattan Theatre Club. It opened on February 9, 2016, and featured Timothée Chalamet, Robert Sean Leonard,

Annika Boras Annika Boras (born February 28, 1981) is an American actress and director. As a theater actress, she received a Drama League Award nomination for her portrayal of Elektra in ''An Oresteia'' as well as a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for her per ...

, Chris McGarry and David Potters. The play concerns a lonely teen from

who attends a private school in New Hampshire. His new play ''The Portuguese Kid'' opened on October 24, 2017, at the New York City Center Stage I, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club. Directed by Shanley, the cast featured

Jason Alexander Jay Scott Greenspan (born September 23, 1959), known professionally as Jason Alexander, is an American actor, comedian, host and director. An Emmy and Tony winner, he is best known for his role as George Costanza in the television series '' ...

, Sherie Rene Scott, Mary Testa, Aimee Carrero and Pico Alexander.

Personal life

Shanley resides in

. He has been married and divorced twice; with his second wife, Jayne Haynes, he adopted two sons, both born in 1992.

Work

Theatre

Film

Television

Awards, nominations, and honors

In 2002 Shanley was inducted into the

Bronx Walk of Fame The Bronx Walk of Fame is a 23-block corridor along the Grand Concourse, one of the main boulevards in the Bronx, the northernmost borough of New York City, with street signs honoring people who have lived in the borough and had worthy accomplis ...

. ;Awards *1988

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

for Best Original Screenplay – ''

'' *1988

Writers Guild of America Award The Writers Guild of America Awards is an award for film, television, and radio writing including both fiction and non-fiction categories given by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America West since 1949. Eligibility ...

for Best Original Screenplay – ''Moonstruck'' *2005

for Outstanding Play – '' Doubt: A Parable'' *2005

for

Drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

– ''Doubt: A Parable'' *2005

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

for Best Play – ''Doubt: A Parable'' *2005

Lucille Lortel Award The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986. They are produced by the League of Off-Broadway Theatres ...

for Outstanding Play – ''Doubt: A Parable'' *2005

Obie Award The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards originally given by ''The Village Voice'' newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City. In September 2014, the awards were jointly presented and administered with the ...

for Playwriting – ''Doubt: A Parable'' ;Nominations *1988

Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of ...

for

Best Screenplay Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporation, ...

– ''

'' *1989 BAFTA Film Award for BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay – ''Moonstruck'' *2003

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...

for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special – '' Live from Baghdad'' *2005

for Outstanding Play – ''Sailor's Song''Simonson, Robert
Hawke, Azaria, Applegate, Turner Among Presenters at Drama Desk Award"
playbill.com, May 16, 2005 *2009

for

Best Adapted Screenplay This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress# ...

– ''Doubt'' *2009

for

– '' Doubt'' *2009

Broadcast Film Critics Association Award The Critics' Choice Movie Awards (formerly known as the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award) is an awards show presented annually by the American-Canadian Critics Choice Association (CCA) to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. Writt ...

for Best Writer – ''Doubt'' *2009

for

– ''Doubt'' *2014

for Best Play – '' Outside Mullingar''

References

External links

* * * *
John Patrick Shanley profile in ''The New York Times Magazine''

MovieMaker

A Re-'Doubt'-able Effort: A Cultural Conversation with John Patrick Shanley in "The Wall Street Journal"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shanley, John Patrick 1950 births Living people 20th-century American dramatists and playwrights 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters 21st-century American dramatists and playwrights 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American screenwriters American male dramatists and playwrights American male screenwriters American opera librettists American people of Irish descent American writers of Irish descent Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winners Cardinal Spellman High School (New York City) alumni Drama Desk Award winners Film directors from New York City Military personnel from New York City Obie Award recipients Pulitzer Prize for Drama winners Screenwriters from New York (state) Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development alumni Tony Award winners United States Marines Writers from the Bronx Writers Guild of America Award winners