Date of Birth: March 12, 1928
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: September 16, 2016
Biography
Edward Franklin Albee III was an American playwright known for his incisive and often controversial works that explore the complexities of modern life and human relationships. Born on March 12, 1928, in Washington, D.C., Albee was adopted by Reed and Frances Albee, a wealthy couple who provided him with a privileged upbringing. Despite this, Albee often felt alienated from his adoptive parents, a theme that would later permeate his works. Albee’s career took off in the early 1960s with the success of his play “The Zoo Story,” which premiered in Berlin before making its way to New York. His most famous work, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” debuted in 1962 and won the Tony Award for Best Play. The play’s raw and unflinching portrayal of a dysfunctional marriage shocked audiences and solidified Albee’s reputation as a leading dramatist of his time. Throughout his career, Albee received numerous accolades, including three Pulitzer Prizes for Drama for “A Delicate Balance” (1966), “Seascape” (1975), and “Three Tall Women” (1994). His works often challenged societal norms and delved into themes of existentialism, identity, and the human condition. Albee continued to write and direct plays until his death on September 16, 2016, in Montauk, New York. He left behind a legacy as one of America’s greatest playwrights, with a body of work that continues to be studied and performed worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Edward Albee
1. Edward Albee was expelled from several private schools and briefly attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, before being expelled.
2. He was openly gay and often explored themes of sexuality and identity in his work.
3. Albee was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1996 for his contributions to American theater.
4. He was a staunch advocate for the rights of artists and often spoke out against censorship.
5. Albee’s adoptive grandfather, Edward Franklin Albee II, was a famous vaudeville magnate.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edward Albee
1. “Good writers define reality; bad ones merely restate it.”
2. “If you’re willing to fail interestingly, you tend to succeed interestingly.”
3. “What could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you hadn’t lived it?”
4. “Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.”
5. “The only thing you can write is what you see.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Edward Albee’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
Edward Albee did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Edward Albee Society](https://www.edwardalbeesociety.org/
2. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Albee
4. [Pulitzer Prize Profile](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/edward-albee
5. [Kennedy Center Honors](https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/a/aa-an/edward-albee/
