Jane Wagner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Wagner
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Wagner in 2011
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| Born | February 26, 1935 Morristown, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Occupation | Screenwriter, director, producer |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Awards | Writing in a Comedy Series 1974 Lily |
Jane Wagner (born February 26, 1935) is an American writer, director, and producer. She is well-known for her creative work with the famous comedian Lily Tomlin, who is also her wife.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Jane Wagner grew up in Morristown, Tennessee. From a young age, she loved writing and even wrote for her high school newspaper. When she was 17, she moved to New York City. There, she studied painting and sculpture at the School of Visual Arts. She also explored a career in acting.
Creative Career
Early in her career, Jane Wagner traveled with the Barter Theatre group. She also worked as a designer for companies like Kimberly-Clark.
Her first big writing success was a TV special called J.T. in 1969. She won a special award called the Peabody Award for it. This show caught the attention of Lily Tomlin, who was looking for someone to help create new ideas for her comedy characters. This was the start of their long and successful partnership.
Together, Wagner and Tomlin have won many awards. Jane has been nominated for Grammy Awards for their comedy albums. She has also won three Emmy Awards and a Writers Guild of America award for Lily Tomlin's TV specials.
Jane Wagner wrote and directed the movie Moment by Moment, which starred Lily Tomlin and John Travolta. She also wrote The Incredible Shrinking Woman, another movie starring Lily Tomlin.
One of her most famous works is the play The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. This play won Jane Wagner a special award from the New York Drama Critics' Circle and a New York Drama Desk Award. Later, a film version of the play also earned her a Cable ACE Award.
In 1996, Wagner won another Peabody Award for the TV special Edith Ann's Christmas: Just Say Noel.
Awards and Recognitions
Jane Wagner has received many honors for her work:
- Drama Desk Award
- 1986: Won – Unique Theatrical Experience – The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
- Emmy Award
- 1981: Won – Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program – Lily: Sold Out
- 1976: Won – Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Special – The Lily Tomlin Special
- 1974: Won – Outstanding Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music – Lily
- Peabody Award
- 1996: Won – Edith Ann's Christmas: Just Say Noel
- 1970: Won – J.T.
- Lambda Literary Award
- 2020: Won – Lambda Literary Visionary prize
Personal Life
Jane Wagner met Lily Tomlin in March 1971. After Lily Tomlin saw J.T., the TV special written by Jane, she invited Jane to Los Angeles. They started working together on Lily's comedy album. After being together for 42 years, Jane Wagner and Lily Tomlin got married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles on December 31, 2013.
Works and Publications
- Wagner, Jane, and Gordon Parks, Jr.. J.T. New York: Dell, 1971.
- Tomlin, Lily, and Jane Wagner. On Stage. New York, N.Y.: Arista, 1977. (Audio book)
- Wagner, Jane. Edith Ann – My Life, So Far. New York: Hyperion, 1994.
- Tomlin, Lily, and Jane Wagner. And That's the Truth. United States: Universal Music Enterprises, 2003. (Audio book)
- Tomlin, Lily, and Jane Wagner. The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. Tarzana, Calif.: Laugh.com, 2005. (Film adaptation)
