Alan Zweibel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Zweibel
Born	(1950-05-20) May 20, 1950 (age 75) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Author, playwright, screenwriter, producer, director, actor
Years active	1974–present
Spouse	Robin (1979)
Children	3

Alan Zweibel, born on May 20, 1950, is an American writer, producer, and comedian. He is known for his funny and creative work in television, movies, and books. The New York Times has even said he has a special place in American pop culture.

Zweibel was one of the first writers for the famous TV show Saturday Night Live. He has won five Emmy Awards and two Writers Guild of America Awards for his amazing work. His TV projects include It's Garry Shandling's Show, which he helped create, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

He has also worked with actor Billy Crystal on many projects. These include the play 700 Sundays, which won a Tony Award, and the movie Here Today. Alan Zweibel has written 11 books, including his recent memoir Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier.

Early Life and First Steps

Alan Zweibel was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in the New York suburbs of Wantagh and Woodmere on Long Island. He finished high school in 1968 and college in 1972.

After college, Zweibel started writing jokes for stand-up comedians. He would get paid about seven dollars for each joke. He collected over 1,100 jokes. He showed these jokes to producer Lorne Michaels, who then hired him. This led to Zweibel becoming one of the first writers for a new show called Saturday Night.

A Career in Comedy

Television Work

Alan Zweibel worked on Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1980. During this time, he wrote many popular comedy skits. He created characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna and Emily Litella, both played by Gilda Radner. He also wrote the Samurai sketches for John Belushi.

Zweibel and Gilda Radner became close friends and worked together often. Radner's last TV appearance was on It's Garry Shandling's Show, which Zweibel helped create. After Radner passed away, Zweibel wrote a book about their friendship called Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner – a Sort of Love Story. He later turned this book into a play.

Zweibel has won many awards for his TV work. This includes his contributions to Curb Your Enthusiasm and an episode of Monk. He has also appeared in documentaries like The Last Laugh and Love, Gilda.

Books and Stories

Alan Zweibel has written 11 books. His book The Other Shulman: A Novel won the 2006 Thurber Prize for American Humor. He also wrote Lunatics with Dave Barry.

Zweibel has written books for younger readers too. His children's book, Our Tree Named Steve, has been translated into many languages. His young adult novel, North, was even made into a movie.

Theater Productions

Zweibel's work has been shown on and off Broadway. He worked with Billy Crystal on the play 700 Sundays, which won a Tony Award. He also co-wrote Fame Becomes Me with Martin Short.

He has written other plays like Between Cars and Bunny Bunny. Zweibel also performs on stage himself in a show called Celebrity Autobiography.

Film Projects

Zweibel has written for several movies. He co-wrote and co-produced Here Today (2021) with Billy Crystal. He also helped write Dragnet (1987), The Story of Us (1999), and North (1994).

Awards and Recognition

Alan Zweibel has received many honors for his writing. He was recognized by the Writers Guild of America and the Television Critics Association. In 2006, he won the Thurber Prize for American Humor for his book The Other Shulman. He also received an honorary PhD from the State University of New York in 2009. In 2010, he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Writers Guild of America, East.

Personal Life

Alan Zweibel married his wife, Robin, in 1979. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Works