Neil Simon (July 4, 1927, New York City, New York, United States - August 26, 2018, New York City, New York) was one of the most celebrated and prolific American playwrights and screenwriters, known for his brilliant comedies and humorous stories.

Early Life. Neil Simon was born and raised in New York City. His childhood was marked by the difficult separation of his parents and the premature death of his father. These events would influence his future work. Simon grew up in New York City during the Great Depression. His childhood, marked by his parents' tempestuous marriage and financial difficulties, was mostly unhappy and unstable. He often found solace in movie theaters, enjoying early comedians like Charlie Chaplin. After high school and a stint in the Army Air Force Reserve, he began writing comedy scripts for radio programs and early television shows, including Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows. 

Career. 

Simon's writing style is known for its comedy, both situational and verbal, presenting serious subjects in a way that makes audiences laugh to avoid weeping. His characters are typically imperfect, unheroic figures who are at heart decent human beings. His settings are often working-class New York City neighborhoods, similar to those in which he grew up.

For his plays, Simon drew extensively on his own life and experiences. His autobiographical plays include "Brighton Beach Memoirs" (1983), "Biloxi Blues" (1985), and "Broadway Bound" (1986), which received critical acclaim. He received a Pulitzer Prize for "Lost in Yonkers" (1991). His later plays, such as "The Dinner Party" (2000) and "Rose's Dilemma" (2003), did not meet with the same commercial success.

Simon also adapted material originated by others, such as the musical "Little Me" (1962) and "Sweet Charity" (1966). He wrote screenplays for more than twenty films, receiving four Academy Award nominations. His film adaptations often stayed close to the original plays, with "The Odd Couple" (1968) being a highly successful adaptation.

Personal Life. Neil Simon was married four times and had three children. His personal life was marked by tragic losses, including the death of his daughter Ellen, which inspired him to write "Chapter Two" (1979), a poignant tale based on his experience. Simon was married four times, and his second wife was actress Marsha Mason, who often starred in his plays and in the films he wrote the screenplays for. Elaine Joyce, his last wife, is also a well-known actress.

Interests. In addition to writing, Simon was a lover of cinema, literature, and music. His passion for humor and comedy clearly emerged in his work.

Important Films:

"The Goodbye Girl" (1977): A romantic comedy that won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Marsha Mason. The plot follows the lives of a woman and her tenant who share an apartment in New York.

"The Odd Couple" (1968): A film adaptation of his famous stage comedy, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the lead roles. The story depicts the humorous misadventures of two mismatched roommates.

"California Suite" (1978): A comedy based on a series of interconnected stories involving various characters staying at a Beverly Hills hotel.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" (1986): Based on his autobiographical trilogy, the film follows the trials and tribulations of a Jewish family during the Great Depression.

Awards

Tony Awards:

Won several Tony Awards for his plays, including "The Odd Couple" (1965), "Biloxi Blues" (1985), and "Lost in Yonkers" (1991).

Pulitzer Prize:

Won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Lost in Yonkers" in 1991.

Academy Awards (Oscars):

Received several Oscar nominations for his screenplays, including for "The Odd Couple," "The Sunshine Boys," and "California Suite".

Golden Globe Awards:

Received Golden Globe nominations for his film screenplays.