James Goldman
American screenwriter, playwright, novelist
About James Goldman
Lived 1927 – 1998 (aged 71). James Goldman was an American screenwriter, novelist, playwright, writer and librettist.
James Goldman (June 30, 1927 – October 28, 1998) was an American playwright and screenwriter. He won an Academy Award for his screenplay The Lion in Winter. His younger brother was novelist and screenwriter William Goldman.
Biography Born on June 30, 1927, the first son of a Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois, Goldman grew up primarily in Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. He is most noted as the playwright of The Lion in Winter and for writing the screenplay of its 1968 film adaptation, for which he received an Academy Award. He also wrote the book for the Broadway musical Follies (1971), which was nominated for a Tony Award.
He attended the University of Chicago and Columbia University, earning a master's degree and studying music criticism. In 1952, Goldman was drafted into the U.S. Army. A Family Affair (1962), musical, book only (lyrics by William Goldman, music by John Kander) The Lion in Winter (1966, revived 1999) Follies (1971, revived 2001 and 2011), musical, book only (lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim), Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical Tolstoy (1996)
Film and television Evening Primrose (1966), book only (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) The Lion in Winter (1968) They Might Be Giants (1971) Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) Robin and Marian (1976) Oliver Twist (1982) White Nights (1985) Anna Karenina (1985) Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986) Queenie (1987) (as Winston Beard)
Novels Waldorf (1965) The Man From Greek and Roman (1974) Myself as Witness (1979) Fulton County (1989)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in James Goldman's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Goldman's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Goldman?
American screenwriter, playwright, novelist (1927-1998)
When was James Goldman born?
James Goldman was born on 30 June 1927 in Chicago.
When did James Goldman die?
James Goldman died on 28 October 1998 in New York City.
What was James Goldman's occupation?
James Goldman was a screenwriter, novelist, playwright, writer and librettist.
What nationality was James Goldman?
James Goldman was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Goldman. https://biography.guide/james-goldman/
MLA: "James Goldman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-goldman/.
Chicago: "James Goldman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-goldman/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:25 UTC