David Alan Mamet is a highly acclaimed American playwright, filmmaker, and author. He is best known for his plays, particularly Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominations. His early off-Broadway works, including The Duck Variations, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and American Buffalo, brought him initial recognition. Mamet's career spans decades, with later works like Race and The Penitent premiering on Broadway and off-Broadway.
1966: Beginning of Personal Journals
The collection of Mamet's papers includes his personal journals from 1966 to 2005.
1977: Marriage to Lindsay Crouse
David Mamet and actress Lindsay Crouse married in 1977.
1986: Publication of "Writing in Restaurants"
David Mamet published his collection of essays titled "Writing in Restaurants" in 1986.
1987: Writing Credit for "Hill Street Blues" and Collaboration with Lindsay Crouse
In 1987, David Mamet wrote an episode for the television series "Hill Street Blues" titled "A Wasted Weekend". This episode featured his then-wife, Lindsay Crouse, who appeared in multiple episodes of the show as Officer McBride.
1990: Divorce from Lindsay Crouse
David Mamet and Lindsay Crouse divorced in 1990 after having two children together.
1990: Publication of "The Hero Pony"
David Mamet published a poetry collection titled "The Hero Pony" in 1990.
1991: Marriage to Rebecca Pidgeon
David Mamet married actress and singer-songwriter Rebecca Pidgeon in 1991. They have two children together.
1992: Controversial Staging of "Oleanna"
The 1992 staging of David Mamet's play "Oleanna" sparked significant debate and controversy, particularly regarding its portrayal of a student accusing her professor of attempted rape, leading to heated audience reactions.
1994: Publication of "The Village"
In 1994, David Mamet published "The Village", one of his four novels.
1997: Publication of "The Old Religion" and "True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor"
David Mamet published two works in 1997: the novel "The Old Religion" and the non-fiction text for actors, "True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor".
2000: Publication of "Wilson: A Consideration of the Sources"
The year 2000 saw the publication of "Wilson: A Consideration of the Sources", one of David Mamet's novels.
2004: Publication and Staging of "Faustus"
David Mamet published his adaptation of the Faust story, "Faustus", in 2004. While the published work was lauded, the play's staging in San Francisco that spring received a poor reception from critics.
2005: Contributing Blogger for The Huffington Post
David Mamet began contributing to The Huffington Post as a blogger in 2005, creating satirical cartoons often focused on political conflicts in Israel.
2005: End of Personal Journals
Mamet's personal journals, spanning from 1966 to 2005, provide insight into his life and work.
2007: Direction of Ford Motor Company Commercials
David Mamet directed two television commercials for Ford Motor Company in 2007, featuring the Ford Edge and employing his characteristic style.
2007: Broadcast of "Keep Your Pantheon"
David Mamet's comedy "Keep Your Pantheon (or On the Whole I'd Rather Be in Mesopotamia)" aired in 2007.
2007: Sale of Papers to the Harry Ransom Center
David Mamet's papers were sold to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin in 2007.
2008: Publication of "Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal'"
In his 2008 essay "Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal'", published in The Village Voice, David Mamet articulated his evolving political views and his shift away from liberalism.
2009: Papers Available for Research
Mamet's papers, housed at the Harry Ransom Center, were made available for research in 2009.
May 1, 2010: Release of "The Trials of Roderick Spode"
On May 1, 2010, David Mamet released his graphic novel, "The Trials of Roderick Spode (The Human Ant)".
2011: Publication of "The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture"
David Mamet published "The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture" in 2011, detailing his shift from modern liberalism.
2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney
David Mamet endorsed Republican candidate Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election and penned an article in The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles urging fellow Jewish Americans to support Romney.
January 29, 2013: Publication of Essay Against Gun Control
On January 29, 2013, Newsweek published David Mamet's essay arguing against gun control legislation, in which he emphasized the Constitution's role in protecting citizens from government overreach.
2013: Publication of "Three War Stories"
David Mamet published his collection of novellas titled "Three War Stories" in 2013.
2014: Publication of "David Mamet and Male Friendship"
Arthur Holmberg published "David Mamet and Male Friendship" in 2014, which analyzed the depiction of male friendships in Mamet's works.
2015: Second Addition of Papers to the Harry Ransom Center
The Harry Ransom Center acquired a second substantial addition to David Mamet's papers in 2015.
2018: Publication of "Chicago"
David Mamet published his novel "Chicago" in 2018.
2019: Publication of "The Diary of a Porn Star by Priscilla Wriston-Ranger: As Told to David Mamet With an Afterword by Mr. Mamet"
In 2019, David Mamet published the novel "The Diary of a Porn Star by Priscilla Wriston-Ranger: As Told to David Mamet With an Afterword by Mr. Mamet".
2020: Support for Donald Trump
David Mamet expressed his support for Donald Trump in 2020, referring to him as a "great president" and supporting his re-election bid.
March 8, 2021: Broadcast of "The Christopher Boy's Communion"
"The Christopher Boy's Communion", produced by Jarvis & Ayres, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on March 8, 2021.
2022: Comments on 2020 Election and "Recessional"
After initially appearing to endorse claims of illegitimacy in the 2020 election in his 2022 book "Recessional", David Mamet later retracted those statements, saying he "misspoke" on the matter.
2022: Publication of "Recessional: The Death of Free Speech and the Cost of a Free Lunch"
David Mamet published his political commentary, "Recessional: The Death of Free Speech and the Cost of a Free Lunch", in 2022.
2022: Support for Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act
David Mamet voiced his support for Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, which drew criticism as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, in 2022. He argued that the law, which restricts classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity for young children, was necessary to prevent potential abuse by teachers.
2022: Identifies as Conservative
David Mamet, in 2022, described himself as a conservative, emphasizing his desire to preserve values like family, country, service, God, and community. He stopped short of explicitly identifying as a Republican.
2023: Publication of "Everywhere an Oink Oink: An Embittered, Dyspeptic, and Accurate Report of Forty Years in Hollywood"
David Mamet shared his experiences in Hollywood in his 2023 book, "Everywhere an Oink Oink: An Embittered, Dyspeptic, and Accurate Report of Forty Years in Hollywood".
March 2024: Screenplay on Hunter Biden
In March 2024, David Mamet announced he was working on a screenplay about Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden.