Oscar-winning screenwriter Sir Tom Stoppard dies at 88
What's the story
Sir Tom Stoppard, the celebrated British playwright and Hollywood screenwriter known for his wit and creativity, has passed away at the age of 88. His agents confirmed that he "died peacefully at home in Dorset, surrounded by his family." The news was met with widespread tributes from King Charles III and Queen Camilla and fellow artists like Mick Jagger and Tim Rice.
Tribute
Stoppard's legacy and impact on British theater
United Agents, the agency that represented Stoppard, released a statement saying he will be remembered for his "brilliance and humanity." The statement added, "He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language." The Olivier Awards organization announced that West End theaters would dim their lights in memory of Stoppard on December 2.
Biography
Stoppard's early life and journey to success
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia, Stoppard left his home during the Nazi occupation and settled in Britain. He later learned that all four of his grandparents were Jewish and had perished in Nazi concentration camps, per the BBC. Stoppard started his career as a journalist in Bristol before becoming a theater critic and writing plays for radio and TV. His first major success came with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1966.
Achievements
Stoppard's most notable works and awards
Stoppard's career was marked by several notable works, including The Real Thing and the Oscar-winning and Golden Globe-winning screenplay for Shakespeare In Love. His 2020 semi-autobiographical play Leopoldstadt won him an Olivier award for best new play and four Tony Awards. He also adapted Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina for the 2012 film starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his services to literature. May he rest in peace.