Neil Simon

Neil Simon was born on July 4, 1927 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA as Marvin Neil Simon.

In 1966 Simon had four shows playing in Broadway theaters at the same time: 'Sweet Charity', 'The Star-Spangled Girl', 'The Odd Couple', and 'Barefoot in the Park'.

He was a writer and producer, known for The Odd Couple (1968), Murder by Death (1976) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). He was married to Elaine Joyce, Diane Lander, Marsha Mason and Joan Baim.

He was awarded the 1977 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Playwriting for "Chapter Two," at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Part of his film, Chapter Two (1979), was based on his own life in that, after losing his first wife, he married actress Marsha Mason 6 months later, after a courtship of 22 days. In the film, recently widowed George (James Caan) meets and impulsively marries actress Jennie (Marsha Mason) after a whirlwind courtship.

The Alvin Theater at 250 W. 52nd Street on Broadway was renamed the Neil Simon Theater on June 23, 1983.

Has won two Tony Awards as author of Best Play winners: in 1985 for "Biloxi Blues" and in 1991 for "Lost in Yonkers." Additionally, he has been Tony-nominated an impressive 15 times: in 1963, as Best Author (Musical) and book for Best Musical nominee "Little Me," in 1964, as author of Best Play nominee "Barefoot in the Park;" in 1965, as Best Author (Dramatic) and author of Best Play nominee "The Odd Couple;" in 1966, for book of Best Musical nominee "Sweet Charity;" in 1968, as author of Best Play nominee "Plaza Suite;" in 1969, for book for Best Musical nominee "Promises, Promises;" in 1970, as author of Best Play nominee "Last of the Red Hot Lovers;" in 1972, as author of Best Play nominee "The Prisoner of Second Avenue;" in 1973, as author of Best Play nominee "The Sunshine Boys;" in 1974, as Best Score, his lyrics with Peter Link's music, for "The Good Doctor;" in 1978, as author of Best Play nominee "Chapter Two;" in 1979, as Best Book (Musical) for "They're Playing Our Song;" and in 1987, as author of Best Play nominee "Broadway Bound."

Neil Simon was nominated for the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Broadway Bound" and the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Lost in Yonkers".

He won both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for "Lost In Yonkers" in 1991.

He was awarded the 1992 Drama-Logue Award for Writing for "Lost in Yonkers" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

His play, "Laughter on the 23rd Floor", was nominated for a 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of 1996.

Received newly established 'Apple Award' from The Nederlander Company and Wayne State University. Named in honor of Sarah Applebaum Nederlander, who was known affectionately as 'Apple', the Apple Award will be presented annually to a nationally recognized theatre professional who has made significant contributions in his or her field. The Nederlander's and WSU established the award this year in celebration of the Fisher Theatre's 40th anniversary. [November 2001]

2004: Received kidney transplant donated by Bill Eveans, his publicist.

Received the 2006 Mark Twain prize on October 15, 2006 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

His play, "Lost in Yonkers" at the Northlight Theatre in Chicago, Illinois was nominated for a 2014 Joseph Jefferson Equity Award for Large Play Production.

When he died in August 2018, it was overshadowed by the deaths of Aretha Franklin and Senator John McCain. As a result, many people were unaware of his passing.