Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Aaron Sorkin
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Aaron Sorkin made an impact.
Aaron Sorkin is an acclaimed American screenwriter, playwright, and film director known for his distinctive fast-paced dialogue, extended monologues, and the 'walk and talk' storytelling technique. His impressive body of work spans stage, television, and film, earning him significant recognition in the entertainment industry. Sorkin's achievements include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in contemporary media.
1984: Removing All Doubt Staged
In 1984, Aaron Sorkin's first play, Removing All Doubt, was staged for drama students at Syracuse University.
1988: Film Rights for A Few Good Men Sold
In 1988, Aaron Sorkin sold the film rights for A Few Good Men to producer David Brown.
1988: Hidden in This Picture Debuts
In 1988, Aaron Sorkin's play Hidden in This Picture debuted off-off-Broadway at the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar in New York City.
1989: A Few Good Men on Broadway
In 1989, A Few Good Men, written by Aaron Sorkin, opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre, starring Tom Hulce and directed by Don Scardino, and ran for 497 performances.
1990: Making Movies Debuts Off-Broadway
In 1990, Aaron Sorkin's play Making Movies debuted Off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre, produced by John A. McQuiggan, and directed by Don Scardino.
1992: A Few Good Men Film
In 1992, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for the film A Few Good Men.
1993: Malice Released
In 1993, the thriller Malice, for which Aaron Sorkin wrote several drafts of the screenplay, was released.
1995: The American President Screenplay
In 1995, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for the movie The American President.
1996: Script Doctoring for The Rock
In 1996, Aaron Sorkin worked as a script doctor and wrote some quips for Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage in the movie The Rock.
1997: The West Wing Conceived
In 1997, Aaron Sorkin conceived the idea for the political drama The West Wing during a lunch with producer John Wells, using leftover ideas from his script for The American President.
1997: Script Doctoring for Excess Baggage and Enemy of the State
In 1997, Aaron Sorkin worked as a script doctor on the comedy Excess Baggage and rewrote some of Will Smith's scenes in Enemy of the State.
1998: Collaboration on Bulworth
In 1998, Aaron Sorkin collaborated with Warren Beatty on several scripts, including Bulworth.
1998: Sports Night Premieres
In 1998, Aaron Sorkin's television series Sports Night premiered. Sorkin was the writer-creator and showrunner for the series.
1998: Collaboration with Thomas Schlamme begins
In early 1998, Aaron Sorkin began his long-term collaboration with Thomas Schlamme on the production of 'Sports Night'.
1998: Sports Night Debuts on ABC
In the fall of 1998, Sports Night, produced by Disney, debuted on the ABC network. Aaron Sorkin conceived the idea for the show while writing The American President.
1999: Political contributions
Between 1999 and 2011, Aaron Sorkin consistently supported the Democratic Party, making substantial political campaign contributions to candidates.
1999: The West Wing Premieres
In 1999, Aaron Sorkin's political drama television series The West Wing first aired. Sorkin was the writer-creator and showrunner for the series.
2000: Primetime Emmy Award wins
In 2000, Aaron Sorkin won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for 'The West Wing' and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for 'The West Wing' episode "In Excelsis Deo".
2000: Rolling Stone Review of Malice
In 2000, a Rolling Stone review by Peter Travers summarized the movie Malice as having "suspense but no staying power".
2000: Sports Night Concludes
In 2000, the television series Sports Night, created by Aaron Sorkin, ended its run.
2001: Primetime Emmy Award for The West Wing
In 2001, Aaron Sorkin won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for 'The West Wing'.
2002: Primetime Emmy Award for The West Wing
In 2002, Aaron Sorkin won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for 'The West Wing'.
2003: Sorkin writes spec script about Philo Farnsworth
In 2003, Aaron Sorkin was writing a spec script about inventor Philo Farnsworth, regarding the technology that allowed the first television transmissions in the United States.
2003: Primetime Emmy Award for The West Wing
In 2003, Aaron Sorkin won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for 'The West Wing'.
2003: Publication of Moneyball by Michael Lewis
In 2003, Michael Lewis's non-fiction book Moneyball was published, an account of the Oakland Athletics baseball team's 2002 season. The book served as the basis for the film Moneyball, for which Sorkin co-wrote the screenplay.
2003: Departure from The West Wing
In 2003, at the end of the fourth season, Aaron Sorkin and fellow executive producer Thomas Schlamme left The West Wing due to internal conflicts at Warner Bros. Television.
2004: Creation of anti-Bush campaign ad
During the 2004 US presidential election campaign, Aaron Sorkin and Rob Reiner created an anti-Bush campaign advertisement for MoveOn's political action committee.
2004: Commission to adapt Charlie Wilson's War
In 2004, Sorkin was commissioned by Universal Pictures to adapt George Crile's non-fiction book Charlie Wilson's War for Tom Hanks' production company, Playtone.
October 2005: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Pilot Script
In October 2005, a pilot script for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, written by Aaron Sorkin and produced by Thomas Schlamme, started circulating in Hollywood and online. NBC bought the rights to air the series after a bidding war.
2005: First draft of The Farnsworth Invention play delivered
In early 2005, Sorkin delivered the first draft of The Farnsworth Invention play to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, after deciding to rewrite it from a screenplay. A production was planned for 2007.
September 18, 2006: Studio 60 Pilot Airs
On September 18, 2006, the pilot for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip aired on NBC, directed by Thomas Schlamme. It received critical acclaim but experienced a drop in viewership mid-season.
2006: Spielberg offers Sorkin The Trial of the Chicago 7
In 2006, Steven Spielberg offered Aaron Sorkin a job to write "a movie about the riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention and the trial that followed", which became known as The Trial of the Chicago 7.
2006: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Premieres
In 2006, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a television series created by Aaron Sorkin, was released.
2006: Abbey Theatre quits involvement with The Farnsworth Invention
In 2006, the new management of the Abbey Theatre quit involvement with The Farnsworth Invention, but La Jolla Playhouse continued with the production.
January 2007: Sorkin Speaks Out Against Press
In January 2007, Aaron Sorkin criticized the press for heavily reporting on the low ratings of Studio 60 and using blogs and unemployed comedy writers as sources.
February 20, 2007: The Farnsworth Invention premiere
On February 20, 2007, The Farnsworth Invention opened under La Jolla Playhouse's Page To Stage program. This program allowed Sorkin and director Des McAnuff to develop the play based on audience feedback.
March 2007: Sorkin to write musical adaptation of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
In March 2007, it was reported that Sorkin had signed on to write a musical adaptation of The Flaming Lips' album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, collaborating with director Des McAnuff.
March 25, 2007: End of The Farnsworth Invention run at La Jolla Playhouse
On March 25, 2007, the initial run of The Farnsworth Invention at La Jolla Playhouse concluded. The production had been developed using audience feedback under the Page To Stage program.
July 12, 2007: Sorkin signs deal with DreamWorks
On July 12, 2007, Variety magazine reported that Sorkin had signed a deal with DreamWorks to write three scripts, the first being The Trial of the Chicago 7.
November 14, 2007: The Farnsworth Invention begins previews on Broadway
On November 14, 2007, The Farnsworth Invention began previews on Broadway, but its official opening was delayed due to the 2007 Broadway stagehand strike.
December 3, 2007: The Farnsworth Invention opens on Broadway
On December 3, 2007, The Farnsworth Invention officially opened at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway after delays due to a stagehand strike.
2007: Charlie Wilson's War Screenplay
In 2007, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for the film Charlie Wilson's War.
2007: The Farnsworth Invention on Broadway
In 2007, Aaron Sorkin's play The Farnsworth Invention debuted on Broadway.
2007: Release of Charlie Wilson's War film
In 2007, the film Charlie Wilson's War, written by Sorkin and directed by Mike Nichols, was released. The film starred Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
March 2, 2008: The Farnsworth Invention closes on Broadway
On March 2, 2008, The Farnsworth Invention closed its run at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway.
August 2008: Involvement in Generation Obama event
In August 2008, Aaron Sorkin participated in a Generation Obama event at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, California, discussing Frank Capra's 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'.
August 2008: Sorkin to write adaptation of The Cherry Orchard
In August 2008, McAnuff announced that Sorkin had been commissioned by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to write an adaptation of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard.
August 2008: Agreement to write Facebook script
In August 2008, Sorkin announced he had agreed to write a script for Sony Pictures and producer Scott Rudin about the beginnings of Facebook.
2008: Sorkin comments on writing process and staff contributions
In 2008, Aaron Sorkin told GQ magazine that while his staff provides great ideas, he primarily writes the scripts himself.
March 2010: The Trial of the Chicago 7 stalls
In March 2010, Sorkin's agent stated that The Trial of the Chicago 7 project was proving "tough to get together".
October 1, 2010: Release of The Social Network
On October 1, 2010, David Fincher's The Social Network, based on Ben Mezrich's non fiction book The Accidental Billionaires and written by Sorkin, was released to critical and commercial success.
November 2010: Sorkin to write Houdini musical
In November 2010, it was reported that Sorkin would write a musical based on the life of Houdini, with music by Danny Elfman.
2010: British Academy Film Award for The Social Network
In 2010, Aaron Sorkin won a British Academy Film Award for The Social Network.
2010: The Social Network Screenplay and Academy Award
In 2010, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for The Social Network and would later win the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on the film.
2010: Sorkin obtains film rights to The Politician
In 2010, Sorkin reportedly obtained the film rights to Andrew Young's book The Politician and announced that he would make his debut as a film director.
2010: Talks with HBO about a TV drama
In 2010, talks were ongoing between Sorkin and HBO regarding a television drama about the behind-the-scenes events at a cable news program, which later became The Newsroom.
January 2011: HBO orders pilot episode of The Newsroom
In January 2011, HBO ordered a pilot episode of The Newsroom, with the working title More as This Story Develops, with Scott Rudin as executive producer.
2011: Political contributions
Between 1999 and 2011, Aaron Sorkin consistently supported the Democratic Party, making substantial political campaign contributions to candidates.
2011: Golden Globe Award for The Social Network
In 2011, Aaron Sorkin won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay for 'The Social Network'.
2011: Moneyball Screenplay
In 2011, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for the film Moneyball.
2011: Sorkin appears on 30 Rock
In 2011, Sorkin played himself on the series 30 Rock, episode "Plan B," and he did a "walk and talk" with Liz Lemon played by Tina Fey.
January 2012: Stephen Schwartz to write music and lyrics for Houdini musical
In January 2012, it was reported that Stephen Schwartz was writing the music and lyrics for the Houdini musical, with Sorkin making his debut as a librettist.
June 2012: Premiere date of The Newsroom
In June 2012, The Newsroom premiered on HBO after HBO ordered a 10-episode series of it in September 2011.
2012: The Newsroom Premieres
In 2012, The Newsroom, a television series written by Aaron Sorkin, was released.
January 2013: Sorkin quits Houdini musical
In January 2013, Sorkin quit the Houdini musical project, citing film and television commitments.
July 2013: Paul Greengrass to direct The Trial of the Chicago 7
In late July 2013, it was announced that Paul Greengrass would be directing The Trial of the Chicago 7.
September 2015: Sorkin to write Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz biopic
In September 2015, Entertainment Weekly reported that Sorkin was writing a biopic that would focus on the twenty-year marriage of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and their work on a comedy series, I Love Lucy.
2015: Golden Globe Award for Steve Jobs
In 2015, Aaron Sorkin won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay for 'Steve Jobs'.
2015: Steve Jobs Screenplay
In 2015, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for the film Steve Jobs.
2015: Release of Steve Jobs
In 2015, Danny Boyle's biographical drama Steve Jobs, with screenplay by Sorkin based on Walter Isaacson's biography, was released, starring Michael Fassbender as Jobs.
February 2016: Announcement of To Kill a Mockingbird adaptation
In February 2016, it was announced that Sorkin would adapt Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird for the stage, reuniting with Jeff Daniels.
March 2016: Sorkin to adapt A Few Good Men for live NBC production
In March 2016, it was announced that Sorkin would adapt A Few Good Men for a live production on NBC, originally slated to air in 2017.
2016: Production begins for Molly's Game
In 2016, production began for Molly's Game, an adaptation of Molly Bloom's memoir written and directed by Sorkin, starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
November 2017: Sorkin mulling live A Few Good Men production
As of November 2017, Sorkin was still considering the live NBC production of A Few Good Men.
December 2017: Molly's Game released
In December 2017, Molly's Game, an adaptation of Molly Bloom's memoir written and directed by Sorkin, was released to mostly positive reviews.
2017: Molly's Game Directorial Debut
In 2017, Aaron Sorkin made his directorial debut with the film Molly's Game.
2017: Amazon Studios acquires rights to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz biopic
In 2017, Amazon Studios acquired the rights to Sorkin's film about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
December 13, 2018: To Kill a Mockingbird opens on Broadway
On December 13, 2018, Sorkin's Broadway adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird opened at the Shubert Theatre to positive reviews, with Jeff Daniels as Atticus Finch.
2018: To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway
In 2018, Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird premiered on Broadway.
July 2020: Sorkin discusses The Trial of the Chicago 7 with Vanity Fair
In July 2020, Sorkin told Vanity Fair that Steven Spielberg offered him a job in 2006 about a movie about the riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention and the trial that followed.
September 25, 2020: Limited release of The Trial of the Chicago 7
On September 25, 2020, The Trial of the Chicago 7 began a limited release before streaming on Netflix. Sorkin both wrote and directed the film.
2020: The Trial of the Chicago 7
In 2020, Aaron Sorkin directed the film The Trial of the Chicago 7.
2020: Golden Globe Award for The Trial of the Chicago Seven
In 2020, Aaron Sorkin won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay for 'The Trial of the Chicago Seven'.
January 2021: Casting changes for Being the Ricardos
In January 2021, it was announced that Nicole Kidman would replace Cate Blanchett as Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos, and Javier Bardem had been cast as Desi Arnaz.
December 10, 2021: Limited theatrical release of Being the Ricardos
On December 10, 2021, Being the Ricardos received a limited theatrical release before streaming on Prime Video on December 21.
2021: Being the Ricardos
In 2021, Aaron Sorkin directed the film Being the Ricardos.
November 3, 2022: Initial date for Camelot revival
The production of Camelot revival was initially set to begin at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater on November 3, 2022, but it was moved back to April 13, 2023.
April 13, 2023: Revised date for Camelot revival
The production of Lerner and Loewe's musical Camelot, with a revised book by Sorkin, began at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater on April 13, 2023, after being moved back from November 3, 2022.
October 2023: Signing of letter calling for release of Israeli hostages
In October 2023, Aaron Sorkin was among Hollywood signatories of a letter calling on President Biden to work toward the release of all Israeli hostages after the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
2023: Camelot Revival on Broadway
In 2023, Aaron Sorkin's revival of Lerner and Loewe's musical Camelot was produced on Broadway.
2024: Deal for Al Schwimmer film and Social Network follow-up hint
In 2024, Deadline reported that Warner Bros. had made a deal for Sorkin to write and possibly direct a film about Al Schwimmer and he hinted at a Social Network follow-up.
June 2025: Sorkin to write and direct Social Network follow-up
In June 2025, Deadline reported that Sorkin would be writing and directing a follow-up to The Social Network based on the documents known as the Facebook Files.
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