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IMDbPro

David Mamet

  • Writer
  • Producer
  • Director
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David Mamet at an event for When Do We Eat? (2005)
No twentieth-century figure has had a more profound effect on the worlds of literature, film, politics, historical debate, and the culture wars than Gore Vidal. Anchored by intimate one-on-one interviews with the man himself, this is a fascinating and wholly entertaining portrait of the last lion of the age of American liberalism. Commentary by those who knew him best—including filmmaker/nephew Burr Steers and the late Christopher Hitchens—blends with footage from Vidal’s legendary on-air career to remind us why he will forever stand as one of the most brilliant and fearless critics of our time. This is Gore Vidal’s last word and testimony.
Play trailer2:05
Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia (2013)
6 Videos
17 Photos
Born in 1947 in Chicago, he was educated at Goddard College, in Vermont, and studied drama at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, before returning to Chicago and establishing the St Nicholas Theatre Company in 1972. He remained their resident writer for four years. The first of his plays to secure international recognition was 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' (1974) and 'American Buffalo' (1975). The latter was eventually performed by Al Pacino on Broadway and London's West End earning him an 'Award Obie' when it transferred from Chicago to New York. His play 'Glengarry Glen Ross' won the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. His other plays include 'A Life in the Theatre' (1977). 'Edmond' (1982). 'The Shawl' (1985) and 'Speed the Plow' (1988). The rejection of his screen adaption of 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' was completely rewritten and released as 'About Last Night in 1986. He soon attracted wide acclaim as a screenwriter when his version of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1981) was made by Bob Rafelson and his original screenplay for 'The Verdict (1982) was nominated for an Oscar. Subsequent screenplays include 'The Untouchables' (1987), 'We're No Angels' (1990), 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (1992). He then wrote and directed 'House of Games' (1987), 'Things Change' (1988) and 'Homicide' (1991). He's also published two collections of essays 'Writing in Restaurants' (1986) and Some Freaks' (1989). In 1987, he conducted a series of classes at Columbia University Film School which were put into print as 'On Directing Film' (1992).
BornNovember 30, 1947
  • More at IMDbPro
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    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornNovember 30, 1947
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See rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 2 Oscars

Photos17

David Mamet and Charlie Rose in Charlie Rose (1991)
Al Pacino, David Mamet, and Helen Mirren in Phil Spector (2013)
David Mamet and Helen Mirren in Phil Spector (2013)
Alec Baldwin and David Mamet in State and Main (2000)
David Mamet and Chiwetel Ejiofor in Redbelt (2008)
David Mamet and John Machado in Redbelt (2008)
David Mamet and Randy Couture in Redbelt (2008)
David Mamet and Barry Levinson in Wag the Dog (1997)
Lorey Sebastian
Director David Mamet with Alec Baldwin
David Mamet at an event for When Do We Eat? (2005)
David Mamet, Helen Mirren, and Linda Kenney at an event for Phil Spector (2013)

Known for

Lindsay Crouse and Joe Mantegna in House of Games (1987)
House of Games
7.2
  • Writer
  • 1987
State and Main (2000)
State and Main
6.7
  • Writer
  • 2000
Wag the Dog (1997)
Wag the Dog
7.1
  • Writer
  • 1997
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Glengarry Glen Ross
7.7
  • Writer
  • 1992

Credits

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IMDbPro

Writer

  • 2 Days, 1963
    • Pre-production
  • About Last Night (2014)
    About Last Night
  • The Coin (2013)
    The Coin
  • Al Pacino and Helen Mirren in Phil Spector (2013)
    Phil Spector
  • Two Painters (2010)
    Two Painters
  • Our Valley (2010)
    Our Valley
  • The Marquee
  • Inside the Actor's Workshop (2010)
    Inside the Actor's Workshop
  • The Dog
  • Lost Masterpieces of Pornography (2010)
    Lost Masterpieces of Pornography
  • The Unit (2006)
    The Unit
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor in Redbelt (2008)
    Redbelt
  • William H. Macy and Julia Stiles in Edmond (2005)
    Edmond
  • Val Kilmer in Spartan (2004)
    Spartan
  • The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002)
    The 74th Annual Academy Awards
  • Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Delroy Lindo, and Rebecca Pidgeon in Heist (2001)
    Heist

Producer

  • William H. Macy, David Paymer, Rebecca Pidgeon, Clara Mamet, and Jared Gilman in Two-Bit Waltz (2014)
    Two-Bit Waltz
    • (uncredited)
  • Al Pacino and Helen Mirren in Phil Spector (2013)
    Phil Spector
  • Disintegration Man (2012)
    Disintegration Man
  • The Unit (2006)
    The Unit
  • Lansky (1999)
    Lansky
  • A Life in the Theatre (1993)
    A Life in the Theatre
  • Hoffa (1992)
    Hoffa
  • Lip Service (1988)
    Lip Service

Director

  • Al Pacino and Helen Mirren in Phil Spector (2013)
    Phil Spector
  • Two Painters (2010)
    Two Painters
  • Our Valley (2010)
    Our Valley
  • The Marquee
  • Inside the Actor's Workshop (2010)
    Inside the Actor's Workshop
  • Lost Masterpieces of Pornography (2010)
    Lost Masterpieces of Pornography
  • The Unit (2006)
    The Unit
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor in Redbelt (2008)
    Redbelt
    • (directed by)
  • Michael Chiklis in The Shield (2002)
    The Shield
  • Val Kilmer in Spartan (2004)
    Spartan
  • Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Delroy Lindo, and Rebecca Pidgeon in Heist (2001)
    Heist
  • Endgame (2000)
    Catastrophe
  • State and Main (2000)
    State and Main
  • Jeremy Northam, Matthew Pidgeon, and Rebecca Pidgeon in The Winslow Boy (1999)
    The Winslow Boy
  • Campbell Scott in The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
    The Spanish Prisoner
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos6

What to Watch: Three Series to Stream in Honor of Veterans
Clip 2:17
What to Watch: Three Series to Stream in Honor of Veterans
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:05
Official Trailer
Deceptive Practices: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay
Trailer 2:27
Deceptive Practices: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay
Vanya on 42nd Street: The Criterion Collection Blu-Ray
Trailer 1:34
Vanya on 42nd Street: The Criterion Collection Blu-Ray
Making "Phil Spector"
Video 1:31
Making "Phil Spector"
David Mamet on Making "Phil Spector"
Video 5:07
David Mamet on Making "Phil Spector"

Personal details

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    • November 30, 1947
    • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Rebecca PidgeonSeptember 22, 1991 - present (2 children)
    • Zosia Mamet
  • Other works
    Worked as a writer for Playboy in the '70s.
  • Publicity listings
    • 3 Print Biographies
    • 5 Interviews
    • 35 Articles
    • 1 Pictorial
    • 2 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Well known for the rhythmic nature of his dialogue, he actually uses a metronome during rehearsals to perfect the actors' delivery of it.
  • Quotes
    [to acting students at Atlantic Theater Company]Invent nothing, deny nothing.
    • Frequently makes use of William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin and Joe Mantegna, actors who also headlined his stage productions. Other regulars include Ed O'Neill, Lionel Mark Smith, Ricky Jay, Jonathan Katz and the late J.T. Walsh.

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