Date of Birth: December 12, 1929
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: December 24, 1994
Biography
John James Osborne was a renowned English playwright, screenwriter, and actor, born on December 12, 1929. He is best known for his 1956 play “Look Back in Anger,” which is often credited with transforming British theatre. Osborne’s work ushered in the era of the “angry young men” in British literature, characterized by a fierce critique of contemporary society and its values. His early life was marked by turbulence, including a difficult relationship with his father and an expulsion from school, which perhaps fueled the rebellious spirit evident in his works. Osborne’s career took off with “Look Back in Anger,” which captured the frustrations of the post-war generation. He continued to write plays that challenged societal norms and delved into complex human emotions. Other notable works include “The Entertainer” (1957), “Luther” (1961), and “Inadmissible Evidence” (1964). Beyond theatre, Osborne also made significant contributions to film and television, adapting many of his plays for the screen. Throughout his life, Osborne experienced several tumultuous relationships, marrying five times. His autobiography, “A Better Class of Person” (1981), offers a candid look into his life and career. Osborne passed away on December 24, 1994, from complications related to diabetes.
5 Interesting Facts about John Osborne
1. John Osborne was expelled from Belmont College, Devon, at age 16 for hitting the headmaster.
2. “Look Back in Anger” was initially a commercial failure but later became a significant success and cultural milestone.
3. Osborne won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on “Tom Jones” (1963).
4. He was a member of the Royal Court Theatre, which was instrumental in staging “Look Back in Anger.”
5. Osborne’s play “Luther” won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1964.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Osborne
1. “Why do I do this every Sunday? Even the book reviews seem to be the same as last week’s. Different books – same reviews.”
2. “I want to try and state the case for life, for art, for love, and for human decency.”
3. “The past is always with us, for it feeds the present.”
4. “We all of us spend too much of our lives in the past, either brooding over what has happened or regretting it.”
5. “It’s not enough to know what you’re against. You have to know what you’re for.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, John Osborne’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million, a significant sum for a playwright of his era.
Children
John Osborne had one daughter, Nolan Osborne, born in 1967 during his marriage to Penelope Gilliatt.
Relevant Links
1. [John Osborne – Biography](https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Osborne
2. [Look Back in Anger – Play Overview](https://www.rsc.org.uk/look-back-in-anger
3. [John Osborne – IMDb Profile](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0651628/
4. [The Guardian – John Osborne Obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/1994/dec/27/obituaries
