Ernest Lehman

Ernest Lehman (born December 8, 1915 in New York City - died July 2 2005 in Los Angeles, California ) was a successful screenwriter in Hollywood. He received 6 Academy Award nominations during his screenwiting career. In 2001 he received an honorary Oscar for his works, the first screenwriter to receive that honor.

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December 8 - 1915 - New York City - July 2 - 2005 - Los Angeles, California - Screenwriter - Academy Award - 2001

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Lehman was born into a wealthy Long Island family whose fortunes were seriously affected by the Great Depression. Upon his graduation from College of the City of New York, Lehman became a freelance writer. Lehman felt that freelancing was a "very nervous way to make a living" so he began writing copy for a publicity firm which focused on plays and celebrities. This experience helped form the basis of his 1957 film The Sweet Smell of Success, which he co-wrote with Clifford Odets. Lehman churned out a slew of short stories and novellas for magazines like Colliers, Redbook and Cosmopolitan. These attracted the attention of Hollywood and in the mid-1950's Paramount Pictures signed him to a writing contract. His first film, Executive Suite, was a success and he was asked to colloborate on the romantic comedy Sabrina, which also became a hit.

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Long Island - Great Depression - College of the City of New York - 1957 - Clifford Odets - Colliers - Redbook - Cosmopolitan - Hollywood - 1950 - Paramount Pictures

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Lehman was among a distinct few in Hollywood who had faith in a film adaptation of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He managed to persuade studio executive Jack Warner and the stark film was a critical sensation, garnering many Academy Award nominations. Unfortunately, his next film, 1969's Hello, Dolly! was a flop.

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Jack Warner - 1969

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In 1972 Lehman directed his first and last film, Portnoy's Complaint. He basically retired from screenwriting in 1979, aside from some television projects.

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1972 - 1979

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Lehman died at UCLA Medical Center after a prolonged illness. He was survived by a wife, Laurie, and his son Jonathan, as well as two sons (Roger and Alan) from his first marriage.

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