Horton Foote

Date of Birth: March 14, 1916

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: March 4, 2009

Biography

Horton Foote, born Albert Horton Foote Jr., was an acclaimed American playwright and screenwriter, celebrated for his sensitive and insightful portrayals of life in the American South. Born on March 14, 1916, in Wharton, Texas, Foote developed an early interest in theater. He moved to Pasadena, California, in 1933 to study acting but soon found his true calling in writing. Foote’s career spanned over seven decades, during which he penned numerous plays, screenplays, and television dramas. He is best known for his screenplays for the films “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) and “Tender Mercies” (1983), both of which earned him Academy Awards. His play “The Young Man From Atlanta” won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1995. Foote’s works often explored themes of family, human connection, and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of the small-town American South. His deep empathy for his characters and his ability to capture the complexities of ordinary life earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career.

5 Interesting Facts about Horton Foote

1. Horton Foote won two Academy Awards for Best Screenplay: one for “To Kill a Mockingbird” and another for “Tender Mercies.”

2. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1995 for his play “The Young Man From Atlanta.”

3. Foote’s daughter, Hallie Foote, is a well-known actress who frequently performed in his plays.

4. He wrote over 60 plays and films throughout his career.

5. Foote was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 2000 by President Bill Clinton.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Horton Foote

1. “I believe very deeply in the human spirit and I have a sense of awe about it because I don’t know how people carry on.”

2. “The main thing I feel is a sense of relief that I never gave up.”

3. “I think the job of the artist is to remind people of what they have chosen to forget.”

4. “I think the measure of a good play is that it should be like a pebble in a shoe.”

5. “I’ve always felt that the great thing about theater is that it can be a place where we can reflect on our lives.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Horton Foote’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Horton Foote had four children: Barbara Foote, Horton Foote Jr., Hallie Foote, and Daisy Brooks Foote. Hallie Foote is particularly notable for her work as an actress, often performing in her father’s plays.