Neil Simon

Neil Simon (1927-2018) was a playwright and writer for film and television, known for his Broadway plays (including The Odd Couple and The Sunshine Boys, also writing the film screenplays). His works were generally comedic but sometimes involves darker satire or serious themes.

Simon began his career in fifties radio and television, contributing to Your Show of Shows and The Phil Silvers Show. His first stage play was Come Blow Your Horn and other notable plays include Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, Plaza Suite, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Barefoot in the Park, The Prisoner of Second Avenue. He wrote the book for the musicals Sweet Charity (directed by Bob Fosse) and Promises, Promises. Original film screenplays include The Out of Towners (with Jack Lemmon), Murder by Death, and The Goodbye Girl (with Paul Benedict, which Simon later adapted to the stage).