Terence Rattigan

Date of Birth: June 10, 1911

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: November 30, 1977

Biography

Sir Terence Rattigan was a renowned British playwright and screenwriter, best known for his finely crafted plays that often explored themes of repressed emotions and social issues. Born in London, Rattigan rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, and his works have been celebrated for their emotional depth and keen observations of human nature. He attended Harrow School and later Trinity College, Oxford, where his interest in drama deepened. His career took off with the success of “French Without Tears” in 1936, and he went on to write many other notable plays, including “The Winslow Boy,” “The Browning Version,” and “Separate Tables.” Rattigan’s work has been adapted into several successful films and he was knighted in 1971 for his contributions to the arts.

5 Interesting Facts about Terence Rattigan

1. Rattigan’s play “The Winslow Boy” was inspired by a real-life legal case involving a naval cadet accused of theft.

2. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, which influenced his later works.

3. Rattigan was openly gay, a fact that he had to keep hidden due to the societal attitudes of his time.

4. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay for the film adaptation of his play “Separate Tables.”

5. Rattigan’s play “The Deep Blue Sea” was adapted into a film starring Rachel Weisz in 2011.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Terence Rattigan

1. “A playwright must be his own audience, must be the critic of his own work.”

2. “The greatest gift a writer can have is to be both highly perceptive and highly self-critical.”

3. “I think it is the responsibility of a dramatist to challenge the society in which he lives.”

4. “What makes a good play is a good story, and a good story that is well told.”

5. “The only reason for the existence of a novel or a play is that it does attempt to represent life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Terence Rattigan is not well-documented, but he was considered one of the most successful British playwrights of his time, earning substantial royalties from his plays and their film adaptations.