Gender
Male
Born
Feb 25, 1928
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died
Sep 11, 2009
Beverly Hills, California, USA
Writer Source Material
Relations
Husband of
Patricia Marshall (1956 - 2009) his death
Comments
Biography: Larry Simon Gelbart was born on February 25, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. He worked for the Armed Forces Radio Service in Los Angeles shortly after World War II. He began writing comedy scripts at sixteen. He married Patricia Marshall, with whom he had his children Becky Gelbart-Barton and Adam. He published his memoir, "Laughing Matters: On Writing M*A*S*H, Tootsie, Oh, God! and a Few Other Funny Things," in 1997.

Film/TV Credits: Film credits include: "Tootsie," "Bedazzled," "Blame It on Rio," "Neighbors," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Oh, God!," "The Thrill of It All," "The Wrong Box," and "Rough Cut." Television credits include: "Frasier," "M*A*S*H," "Three's Company," "After MASH," "Great Performances," and "General Electric Theater."

Other Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series for "M*A*S*H" in 1974. Inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2002. Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2008.

Trivia:
The marquees of Broadway theaters were dimmed in his honor on September 15, 2009.
Tootsie (Apr 23, 2019 - Jan 05, 2020)
  • Based on the story by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedyOriginal
Sly Fox (Apr 01, 2004 - Aug 29, 2004)
  • Written by Larry Gelbart
PlayComedyRevival
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Apr 18, 1996 - Jan 04, 1998)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedy FarceRevival
City of Angels (Dec 11, 1989 - Jan 19, 1992)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedyOriginal
Mastergate (Oct 12, 1989 - Dec 10, 1989)
  • Written by Larry Gelbart
PlayComedy SatireOriginal
Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Feb 26, 1989 - Sep 01, 1990)
  • Additional text by Larry Gelbart
MusicalRevue DanceOriginal
Sly Fox (Dec 14, 1976 - Feb 19, 1978)
  • Written by Larry Gelbart
PlayComedyOriginal
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Mar 30, 1972 - Aug 12, 1972)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedy FarceRevival
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (May 08, 1962 - Aug 29, 1964)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedy FarceOriginal
The Conquering Hero (Jan 16, 1961 - Jan 21, 1961)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalOriginal
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Oct 13, 1998 - Apr 25, 1999)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedyFarceRevival
City of Angels (Jun 04, 1991 - Nov 29, 1992)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedyOriginal
Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Oct 02, 1990 - Sep 08, 1991)
  • Additional text by Larry Gelbart
MusicalRevue DanceOriginal
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Feb 28, 1987 - Jul 26, 1987)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedyFarceRevival
Sly Fox (Mar 06, 1978 - May 26, 1978)
  • Written by Larry Gelbart
PlayComedyOriginal
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Dec 25, 1963 - Nov 14, 1964)
  • Book by Larry Gelbart
MusicalComedy FarceOriginal

Tony Award®

Best Book of a Musical

1990 | Winner  | City of Angels
Book by Larry Gelbart

Best Author of a Musical

Book by Larry Gelbart

Best Musical

Book by Larry Gelbart

Drama Desk Award

Outstanding Book of a Musical

1990 | Winner  | City of Angels
Book by Larry Gelbart

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