John Murray
American playwright best known for the 1937 play Room Service
About John Murray
Lived 1906 – 1984 (aged 77). John Murray was an American playwright, writer, songwriter and screenwriter, known for Room Service (play).
John Murray (October 12, 1906 – June 17, 1984) was an American playwright best known for writing the 1937 play Room Service with Allen Boretz.
Murray was born in New York and attended DeWitt Clinton High School, City College of New York, and Columbia University. His 1937 play, Room Service ran for 500 performances on Broadway and was turned into two films, the first, Room Service, starred the Marx Brothers, the second, Step Lively, starred Frank Sinatra. The play was also adapted for two television productions.
During World War II, Murray served in the United States Army as a captain in the Signal Corps, marrying Joan Loewi in 1941. He returned to writing for Broadway after the war, writing songs and sketches for the Ziegfeld Follies and Alive and Kicking. Murray also began writing for the Eddie Cantor radio show and the Phil Baker radio show. Eventually, he turned to writing for television as well.
As producer Room Service (1937) Room Service (1953) Charly's Aunt (1970)
Books Fifteen Plays for Teen-Agers: A Collection of One-Act Royalty-Free Comedies and Mysteries. T. S. Denison & Co. 1959. Modern Monologues for Young People 1961
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Important facts
People in John Murray's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Murray's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Murray?
American playwright best known for the 1937 play Room Service (1906–1984)
When was John Murray born?
John Murray was born on 12 October 1906 in New York City.
When did John Murray die?
John Murray died on 17 June 1984 in Connecticut.
What was John Murray's occupation?
John Murray was a playwright, writer, songwriter and screenwriter.
What was John Murray known for?
John Murray was known for Room Service (play).
What nationality was John Murray?
John Murray was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Murray (playwright)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Murray. https://biography.guide/john-murray-playwright/
MLA: "John Murray." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-murray-playwright/.
Chicago: "John Murray." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-murray-playwright/.
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