Andrew Bergman

Andrew Bergman (born February 20, 1945) is an American screenwriter, film director, and novelist. His best known films include Blazing Saddles, The In-Laws, and The Freshman.

Andrew Bergman
Born (1945-02-20) February 20, 1945
Queens, New York, U.S.
OccupationScreenwriter, author, film director
EducationBinghamton University (BA)
University of Wisconsin–Madison (Ph.D.)

Early life

Born to a Jewish family,[1] Bergman graduated from Binghamton University and earned a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

His dissertation, a study of Depression-era Hollywood films, was published in 1971 by NYU Press under the title We're in the Money: Depression America and Its Films. He also wrote James Cagney: The Pictorial Treasury of Film Stars.[2]

Career

Screenwriting

Bergman broke into the film industry by writing the original screenplay (titled Tex X) that served as the basis for Mel Brooks's classic Blazing Saddles (1974), and was among the co-writers who adapted it into its final state.

He wrote a gangster film Rhapsody in Crime that was never made. Warner Bros approached him to write a sequel to Freebie and the Bean with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. Instead, Bergman came up with The In-Laws (1979).[3]

Director

The In Laws was a success, so Bergman could direct his next script, So Fine (1981) starring Ryan O'Neal. It was a box office disappointment.

Bergman wrote Oh, God! You Devil (1984) and Fletch (1985) starring Chevy Chase. The latter was a big hit. Less successful was Big Trouble (1986).

New York magazine in 1985 dubbed him "The Unknown King of Comedy".[4][5]

He wrote and directed The Freshman (1990) starring Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick and did a rewrite on Soapdish (1991). He executive produced a number of movies including Chances Are (1989), White Fang (1991), Undercover Blues (1993) and Little Big League (1994).

Bergman wrote and directed Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) starring Nicolas Cage, James Caan and Sarah Jessica Parker ; and It Could Happen To You (1994) starring Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda.

He wrote The Scout although he says the resulting film is different from his version.

Bergman wrote and directed Striptease (1996) starring Demi Moore, and directed the Jacqueline Susann biopic Isn't She Great (2000) starring Bette Midler and Nathan Lane.

He has written four novels: The Big Kiss-Off of 1944, Hollywood and LeVine, Tender Is LeVine, and Sleepless Nights. He also wrote the Broadway comedy, Social Security, and Working Title.[5]

The Andrew Bergman History Writing Prize is awarded by the University of Wisconsin.[6]

Awards

In 2007, Bergman received the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Lifetime Achievement in Writing from the Writers Guild of America.[7]

Personal life

He lives in New York City with his wife. He has two grown sons.

References
  1. Erens, Patricia (1998). The Jew in American Cinema. Indiana University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-253-20493-6.
  2. "James Cagney: The Pictorial Treasury of Film Stars by Andrew Bergman". Fantasticfiction.co.uk. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  3. "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast". www.gilbertpodcast.com. March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  4. "Andrew Bergman | Biography, Photos, Movies, TV, Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  5. "Andrew Bergman | Writers". Wgaefoundation.org. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  6. "History — Alumni & Friends — Supporting Excellence". History.wisc.edu. December 21, 1994. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  7. McNary, Dave. "WGA bows to Bergman". Variety. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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