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Budd Schulberg

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description Budd Schulberg Overview

Budd Schulberg was an American screenwriter and novelist who won the Academy Award for his screenplay for On the Waterfront (1954), directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando. He also wrote the screenplay for A Face in the Crowd (1957), a prescient satire about media and politics directed by Kazan and starring Andy Griffith. As a novelist, Schulberg was best known for What Makes Sammy Run? (1941), a critique of ambition and corruption in Hollywood.

He was the son of B.P. Schulberg, a Paramount studio executive.

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What is Budd Schulberg's most famous screenplay?

Budd Schulberg won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "On the Waterfront" (1954), directed by Elia Kazan. The film famously starred Marlon Brando. It is considered a landmark in American cinema for its gritty realism.

Did Budd Schulberg write the movie A Face in the Crowd?

Yes, he wrote the screenplay for "A Face in the Crowd" (1957), a prescient satire about media and politics. The film was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Andy Griffith in his film debut. It predicted the modern intersection of television celebrity and political power.

What novel did Budd Schulberg write?

Before his screenwriting career took off, Schulberg wrote the 1941 Hollywood novel "What Makes Sammy Run?". The book offers a cynical look at the ruthless ambition and corruption within the film industry. It became a massive bestseller and was later adapted into a Broadway musical.

Why was Budd Schulberg called to testify before the HUAC?

In 1951, Schulberg testified as a friendly witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). He named several colleagues he believed were communists, a controversial decision that was heavily influenced by his collaboration with Elia Kazan. His testimony mirrored the themes of informing that he explored in "On the Waterfront."