Mart Crowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mart Crowley
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Mart Crowley on the set of The Men from the Boys
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| Born | Edward Martino Crowley August 21, 1935 Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | March 7, 2020 (aged 84) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Playwright, writer |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Drama, comedy |
| Notable works | The Boys in the Band |
Edward Martino Crowley (August 21, 1935 – March 7, 2020) was an American writer. He was best known for his 1968 play, The Boys in the Band.
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About Mart Crowley's Life
Mart Crowley was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He studied acting and show business at The Catholic University of America. After graduating in 1957, he moved to Hollywood. There, he worked for several TV companies.
Crowley met actress Natalie Wood while working on her film Splendor in the Grass. Wood hired him as her assistant. This gave him time to write his play, The Boys in the Band.
The Boys in the Band Play
The Boys in the Band opened off-Broadway in New York City. This was on April 14, 1968. The play was very popular and ran for 1,000 performances. It told the story of a group of friends.
Natalie Wood included Crowley in her close group of friends. She called this group "the nucleus." To join, friends had to pass a "kindness" test.
Film and Broadway Versions
The Boys in the Band was made into a film in 1970. William Friedkin directed this movie.
Crowley also wrote a sequel to the play in 2002. It was called The Men from the Boys.
In 2018, The Boys in the Band returned to Broadway. This was for its 50th anniversary. Famous actors like Jim Parsons and Zachary Quinto starred in it.
Other Works by Crowley
Mart Crowley wrote and produced other plays. These included Remote Asylum and A Breeze from the Gulf. The latter was about his own life.
He also worked in television. In 1979 and 1980, he was a script editor and producer. He worked on the ABC series Hart to Hart. This show starred Natalie Wood's husband, Robert Wagner.
Crowley also wrote TV movies. These included There Must Be a Pony (1986) and Bluegrass (1988). He also wrote People Like Us (1990). In 1996, he wrote a reunion special for Hart to Hart.
Documentaries Featuring Crowley
Mart Crowley appeared in several documentaries. These films explored different topics.
- The Celluloid Closet (1995) looked at how movies showed certain groups of people.
- Dominick Dunne: After the Party (2007) was about his friend and producer, Dominick Dunne.
- Making the Boys (2011) told the story of how The Boys in the Band play and film were made.
- The Boys in the Band: Something Personal (2020) was about the 2020 Netflix film.
Crowley's Later Years
Mart Crowley passed away in Manhattan on March 7, 2020. He had a heart attack and underwent surgery. He died while recovering. The 2020 film version of The Boys in the Band was dedicated to his memory.
Images for kids
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Mart Crowley on the set of The Men from the Boys
See also
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBT people from New York City
