Elmer Rice

Date of Birth: September 28, 1892

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: May 8, 1967

Biography

Elmer Rice, born Elmer Leopold Reizenstein, was an influential American playwright born on September 28, 1892, in New York City. Rice’s career spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to American theater. He is best known for his innovative and socially conscious plays that often addressed contemporary issues such as the justice system, social injustice, and the struggles of the common man. Rice’s first major success came with the 1923 play “The Adding Machine,” a groundbreaking work in the expressionist style that critiqued the dehumanizing effects of modern technology. This was followed by his Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Street Scene” in 1929, which provided a vivid, multifaceted portrayal of life in a New York City tenement and was later adapted into a successful musical. Throughout his career, Rice continued to explore various themes and styles, from realism to expressionism, and he was unafraid to tackle controversial subjects. His work often reflected his progressive views and his commitment to social reform. In addition to his writing, Rice was also an advocate for playwrights’ rights and was one of the founders of the Dramatists Guild of America. Rice passed away on May 8, 1967, in Southampton, England, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering works that continue to be studied and performed.

5 Interesting Facts about Elmer Rice

1. Elmer Rice’s play “Street Scene” won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1929.

2. “The Adding Machine” is considered a seminal work in American expressionist theater.

3. Rice was a co-founder of the Dramatists Guild of America, advocating for the rights of playwrights.

4. He was married three times and had four children.

5. Rice was also a novelist and screenwriter, showcasing his versatility as a writer.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elmer Rice

1. “The theater is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed.”

2. “I write plays to find out who I am and to discover what I think about the world.”

3. “A play is a blueprint of an event: a way of creating and rewriting history by making it come alive.”

4. “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

5. “Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives; very few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Elmer Rice’s highest net worth is not well-documented in historical financial terms, but his successful career as a playwright, novelist, and screenwriter suggests he achieved significant professional recognition and financial stability.