Marc Connelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marc Connelly
|
|
|---|---|
photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937
|
|
| Born | Marcus Cook Connelly December 13, 1890 McKeesport, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | December 21, 1980 (aged 90) New York City |
| Notable awards | Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1930) |
| Spouse | Madeline Hurlock (m.1930–div.1935) |
Marcus Cook Connelly (born December 13, 1890 – died December 21, 1980) was a talented American writer, director, and performer. He wrote plays, directed shows, produced them, acted, and even wrote song lyrics! He was also an important member of a famous group called the Algonquin Round Table. In 1930, he won a big award, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, for one of his plays.
Contents
About Marc Connelly's Life
Marc Connelly was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. His father, Patrick Joseph Connelly, was an actor and ran hotels. His mother, Mabel Louise Cook, was also an actress.
Marc started writing plays when he was only five years old! Later, he worked as a journalist for the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph newspaper. He then moved to New York City. In 1919, he joined a well-known group of writers and artists called the Algonquin Round Table.
Working with George S. Kaufman
Before 1921, Connelly had helped create several Broadway musicals. Then, he started working with George S. Kaufman, who became his most important partner.
For four years, they wrote five funny plays together:
- Dulcy (1921)
- To the Ladies (1922)
- Merton of the Movies (1922)
- The Deep Tangled Wildwood (1923)
- Beggar on Horseback (1924)
They also worked on other projects. They helped direct a show called The '49ers in 1922. They wrote parts of the musical comedy Helen of Troy, New York (1923). And they wrote both the story and songs for another musical comedy, Be Yourself (1924).
Winning the Pulitzer Prize
In 1930, Connelly won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He received it for his play The Green Pastures.
This play was very important in American theater. It told stories from the Old Testament of the Bible. What made it special was that it was the first play on Broadway to have an all-black cast.
Connelly also wrote poems and articles for magazines like Life and Everybody's.
Life at the Algonquin Round Table
Marc Connelly was known for his quick wit and humor. He was one of the funniest members of the Algonquin Round Table. This was a group of famous writers, critics, and actors who met for lunch every day at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. They were known for their clever conversations and jokes.
Marc Connelly once joked, "I always knew children were anti-social. But the children of the West Side – they're savage."
Later Years and Legacy
From 1946 to 1950, Connelly taught drama at Yale University. In 1968, he wrote a book about his life called Voices Offstage.
Connelly also appeared as an actor in 21 movies. One of his roles was in The Spirit of St. Louis (1957), where he acted alongside the famous actor James Stewart.
A film called The Ten-Year Lunch (1987) was made about the members of the Algonquin Round Table. This movie won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Marc Connelly was featured in it because he was the last surviving member of the group.
In 1994, another film, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, told a fictional story about the group. In this movie, actor Matt Malloy played Marc Connelly.
Marc Connelly's Film Roles
Marc Connelly appeared in several films. Here are some of them:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | The Sleep of Cyma Roget | Minor Role |
| 1957 | The Spirit of St. Louis | Father Hussman |
| 1960 | Tall Story | Prof. Charles Osman |
See also
In Spanish: Marc Connelly para niños
