Dalton Trumbo

Date of Birth: December 9, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: September 10, 1976

Biography

James Dalton Trumbo was an influential American screenwriter and novelist born on December 9, 1905, in Montrose, Colorado. Renowned for his prolific career in Hollywood, Trumbo became one of the highest-paid screenwriters of his time. He started his literary career with the novel “Eclipse” (1935), which was followed by the critically acclaimed “Johnny Got His Gun” (1939), a stark anti-war masterpiece that won the National Book Award. Trumbo’s career took a dramatic turn in the late 1940s when he was blacklisted during the Red Scare for his affiliation with the Communist Party USA. He was one of the Hollywood Ten, a group of screenwriters and directors who defied the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and were subsequently imprisoned for contempt of Congress. Despite the blacklist, Trumbo continued to write under pseudonyms and won two Academy Awards for films credited to other writers: “Roman Holiday” (1953) and “The Brave One” (1956). In the early 1960s, Trumbo’s career began to recover with public acknowledgment of his work on the film “Spartacus” (1960), leading to the eventual breakdown of the Hollywood blacklist. He continued to write screenplays and novels until his death on September 10, 1976. Trumbo’s legacy is celebrated for his resilience, talent, and contributions to both literature and film.

5 Interesting Facts about Dalton Trumbo

1. Dalton Trumbo wrote under pseudonyms during the Hollywood blacklist, notably winning two Oscars under different names.

2. His novel “Johnny Got His Gun” was turned into a film in 1971, which Trumbo directed himself.

3. Trumbo’s screenplay for “Spartacus” (1960) helped end the Hollywood blacklist when he was publicly credited for his work.

4. He was one of the highest-paid screenwriters in Hollywood before being blacklisted.

5. Trumbo’s life and career were the subject of the 2015 biographical film “Trumbo,” starring Bryan Cranston.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dalton Trumbo

1. “The only kind of love worth having is the kind that goes on living and laughing and fighting and loving.”

2. “The chief internal enemies of any state are those public officials who betray the trust imposed upon them by the people.”

3. “A good businessman never makes a contract unless he’s sure he can carry it out.”

4. “Democracy means that if the doorbell rings in the early hours, it is likely to be the milkman.”

5. “Every screenwriter worth his salt shouts to the heavens that he is the victim of an unprincipled conspiracy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Dalton Trumbo’s net worth was estimated to be equivalent to several million dollars in today’s currency, considering inflation and his high earnings as a screenwriter.

Children

Dalton Trumbo had three children: Christopher Trumbo, Nikola Trumbo, and Mitzi Trumbo. Christopher followed in his father’s footsteps in the film industry, becoming a screenwriter and playwright, while Mitzi and Nikola have also been involved in preserving and promoting their father’s legacy.