Sidney Sheldon (11 February, 1917 – 30 January, 2007) was an award-winning writer, director and producer. His career included Broadway plays, motion pictures, as well as television work.
Fun Facts about Sidney Sheldon:
- Born as Sidney Schectel in Chicago, IL to Ascher and Natalie (nee Marcus), both of Jewish Russian origins. His father managed a jewelry store.
- At age 10, the young Sidney sold his first piece of writing, a poem for $5. That’s about $80 in 2022, not bad at all.
- During the Great Depression, he worked a variety of jobs until he graduated from East High School, Denver, CO.
- The family wasn’t rich, and Sidney got a scholarship to Northwestern University. At the university he wrote short plays for the drama groups. Sadly, he dropped out after six months to help support his family.
- During World War II Sidney enlisted as a pilot, but was discharged because of a recurring slipped disc. He moved to New York City and wrote for Broadway. At one time he had three musicals on Broadway: The Merry Widow, Jackpot, and Dream with Music.
- Hollywood came calling in 1937. Mr. Sheldon got a job reviewing scripts and being part of making B movies. He sold his first script for South of Panama in 1941, for $250 ($4,618 in 2022 dollars).
- In 1947 Sidney Sheldon won an Academy Award for his screenplay of The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Along with an Oscar, he also won a Tony (1959).
- Sheldon created, produced and wrote I Dream of Jeannie. He wrote most of the episodes of The Patty Duke Show.
- Sidney Sheldon’s first novel, The Naked Face (1969) was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award. His second novel, The Other Side of Midnight, was a #1 bestseller.
- Sidney Sheldon married Jorja Curtright, an actress and interior designer, in 1951. The couple had one daughter, Mary Sheldon, a writer on by her own right. They were married until her death in 1951.
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Fun Facts Friday: Sidney Sheldon
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Sidney Sheldon (11 February, 1917 – 30 January, 2007) was an award-winning writer, director and producer. His career included Broadway plays, motion pictures, as well as television work.
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Man of la Book
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Man of la Book - A Bookish Blog
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