Frank D. Gilroy
Frank D. Gilroy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Frank Daniel Gilroy was born on December 8, 1926, in New York City, USA.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: December 8, 1926
Died: February 4, 2015 (aged 88)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Gilroy was an American playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his work in the theater, where he wrote numerous plays that explored themes of social justice, morality, and human relationships.
Early Life and Background
Frank Gilroy grew up in a family of modest means on Long Island, New York. His father was a salesman who struggled to make ends meet, which instilled in Frank a strong sense of empathy for those less fortunate. Gilroy's early life was marked by a love of reading and writing, and he spent hours as a child crafting stories and plays that reflected his observations of the world around him.
Major Accomplishments
Gilroy's most significant accomplishment is arguably his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "The Subject Was Roses," which premiered on Broadway in 1964. The play tells the story of a family struggling to come to terms with their past and present, and it won critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of complex characters and relationships.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to "The Subject Was Roses," Gilroy wrote numerous other plays that explored themes of social justice and human morality. Some notable works include:
"Shortsighted" (1964), a play about the struggles of a young woman trying to balance her personal desires with societal expectations.
"What Makes Sammy Run?" (1963), a satirical comedy about the rise and fall of a corrupt businessman.
Gilroy also worked as a screenwriter, penning scripts for films such as "The Detective" (1968) and "The Dirty Dozen" (1967).
Impact and Legacy
Frank Gilroy's impact on American theater cannot be overstated. His plays continue to be performed and studied by scholars and actors around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of countless other playwrights and writers.
Gilroy's commitment to social justice and human morality also had a profound impact on audiences. His plays often tackled difficult subjects such as racism, sexism, and war, but he approached these topics with sensitivity and nuance.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Frank Gilroy is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful commentary on the human condition. His writing often sparked important conversations about social justice, morality, and personal responsibility, and his plays continue to be relevant today.
Gilroy's legacy extends far beyond his own work, however. He inspired a generation of writers and playwrights to tackle complex themes and issues in their own work, and his commitment to social justice continues to inspire audiences around the world.
In short, Frank Gilroy was a masterful playwright, screenwriter, and film director whose impact on American theater and culture cannot be overstated. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and human morality in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Quotes by Frank D. Gilroy
The way plays happen, at least with me, it's spontaneous combustion of things you've had in your head.
Young men who have been away, been to war, they are different when they come home.
You reach a time... when fact and fiction blend seamlessly. If you do it too soon, it's journalism. If you do it too late, you forget, and it's fantasy. There's an optimum time.
I remember how I would wait for a play idea. I wasted a tremendous amount of time. I didn't realize that ideas could be made into movies or novels.
I'd like to walk into a room sometime and be introduced as the author of something other than that play. There's always one thing in a career that has more impact than anything else. In my case, 'The Subject Was Roses' was that thing.
I don't believe in updating. If a play works, it draws something from being true to its time.
