Anthony Shaffer (writer) facts for kids

Anthony Joshua Shaffer (born May 15, 1926 – died November 6, 2001) was a talented English writer. He wrote plays, movie scripts, and novels. He also worked as a lawyer and in advertising. Shaffer is most famous for his play Sleuth. This play won a Tony Award, which is a big prize for theater. It was also made into a popular movie in 1972.

Early Life

Anthony Shaffer was born in Liverpool, England. His family was Jewish. His parents were Reka and Jack Shaffer. Jack worked as an estate agent, helping people buy and sell homes.

Anthony had an identical twin brother named Peter Shaffer. Peter also became a famous writer and playwright. They had another brother named Brian. Anthony studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge and earned a degree.

Career Highlights

Before becoming a full-time writer, Anthony Shaffer worked in a few different jobs. He was a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. He also worked as an advertising copywriter, creating words for advertisements.

Sleuth Play and Film

Shaffer's most well-known work is the play Sleuth, which came out in 1970. This play was very successful and won the Tony Award for Best Play. A Tony Award is one of the highest honors for plays on Broadway.

Later, Sleuth was made into a movie in 1972. Famous actors Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine starred in it. Anthony Shaffer wrote the screenplay for the movie too. He won Edgar Awards for both versions of Sleuth. He won for Best Play in 1971 and for Best Screenplay in 1973. These awards are given by the Mystery Writers of America.

Other Famous Screenplays

Shaffer also wrote screenplays for other popular movies. These include:

• Frenzy (1972): This was a thriller directed by the famous filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.
• The Wicker Man (1973): This became a British cult thriller. A cult film is one that gains a devoted following over time. Shaffer had previously started a TV production company with the director of The Wicker Man, Robin Hardy.

Personal Life

Grave of Anthony Shaffer in the east side of Highgate Cemetery

Anthony Shaffer was married three times during his life. His first wife was Henrietta Glaskie. His second wife was Carolyn Soley, and they had two children together, named Claudia and Cressida. His third wife was the Australian actress Diane Cilento.

Shaffer met Diane Cilento in 1973 when she acted in his movie The Wicker Man. He moved to Australia in 1975 and married Cilento in 1985. They built a house together, which they called The Castle. They also built a theater called The Karnak Playhouse. Shaffer lived in Australia, where he owned land and a restaurant. He paid taxes and voted there, but he also kept a flat in London.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Anthony Shaffer para niños