Author. He will be remembered as the only author to have been awarded three solo Academy Awards for writing both adapted and original screenplays. A playwright and screenwriter, he was one of Hollywood's most celebrated authors. Born Sidney Chayefsky, the son of a Russian soldier, his Russian-Jewish parents immigrated to the United States by 1909. He graduated from City College of New York with a degree in social sciences in 1943 and attended Fordham University. Serving in the 104th Infantry Division during World War II in Europe, he received a Purple Heart from injuries from a land mine. While convalescing from his injuries, he began writing stories. Seeking a career as an author, he left for Hollywood in 1947. In 1953 in the Golden Age of television, his television adaptation of "Marty" was so successful that it was made into a feature film two years later, earning him his first of three Academy Awards for the screenplay. In 1958 he was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Original Screenplay for " The Goddess." In addition to his movie screenplays, he also wrote several Broadway plays. In 1960, his play "The Tenth Man" earned him a Tony Award when it was voted Best Play. His other two Academy Awards for screenwriting came in 1972 for "The Hospital" and in 1977 for "Network." His final screenplay was a 1980 adaptation of his novel "Altered States," yet he was so upset at the way the director had the actors deliver their lines that he had his name removed from the movie credits. Politically, supporting his Jewish heritage, he was vocal against anti-Semitism and was against the involvement of the United States in Vietnam. His wife, Susan, was a shy person, rarely appearing in public with him. They couple had a son.
Author. He will be remembered as the only author to have been awarded three solo Academy Awards for writing both adapted and original screenplays. A playwright and screenwriter, he was one of Hollywood's most celebrated authors. Born Sidney Chayefsky, the son of a Russian soldier, his Russian-Jewish parents immigrated to the United States by 1909. He graduated from City College of New York with a degree in social sciences in 1943 and attended Fordham University. Serving in the 104th Infantry Division during World War II in Europe, he received a Purple Heart from injuries from a land mine. While convalescing from his injuries, he began writing stories. Seeking a career as an author, he left for Hollywood in 1947. In 1953 in the Golden Age of television, his television adaptation of "Marty" was so successful that it was made into a feature film two years later, earning him his first of three Academy Awards for the screenplay. In 1958 he was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Original Screenplay for " The Goddess." In addition to his movie screenplays, he also wrote several Broadway plays. In 1960, his play "The Tenth Man" earned him a Tony Award when it was voted Best Play. His other two Academy Awards for screenwriting came in 1972 for "The Hospital" and in 1977 for "Network." His final screenplay was a 1980 adaptation of his novel "Altered States," yet he was so upset at the way the director had the actors deliver their lines that he had his name removed from the movie credits. Politically, supporting his Jewish heritage, he was vocal against anti-Semitism and was against the involvement of the United States in Vietnam. His wife, Susan, was a shy person, rarely appearing in public with him. They couple had a son.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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