Trivia

Well known for the rhythmic nature of his dialogue, he actually uses a metronome during rehearsals to perfect the actors' delivery of it.

Won the Pulitzer prize in Drama for "Glengary Glen Ross".

Although he intended it as a deconstruction of ruthless business practices and the nature of capitalism, many businesses have used the film 'Glengarry Glen Ross' as a training method and motivational tool for employees.

Eschews using a personal computer to write his screenplays and plays, preferring to use his old-fashioned typewriter.

Based his play 'Glengarry Glen Ross' on his own time working in a Real Estate office.

Attended Goddard College, Plainfield, VT with William H. Macy and Jonathan Katz.

Daughters with Lindsay Crouse: Zosia Mamet and Willa Mamet.

Used to work as a waiter at Second City Theater in Chicago.

He wanted to be an actor as a young man but his attempts failed so he turned to writing and directing in order to stay in the industry.

Won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Glengarry Glen Ross" and was nominated for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "The Cryptogram".

Often either declines credit or uses a pseudonym if he is called upon only as a script doctor, or some films he doesn't direct. The only such film that credited him by name was Hannibal (2001).

He is an avid fan of film noir.

Occasional co-lyricist for his wife, singer Rebecca Pidgeon.

Two children with actress Rebecca Pidgeon: Clara Mamet and Noah Mamet.

His play, "Glengarry Glen Ross", was awarded the 1984 Joseph Jefferson Award for Play Production at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

His stage work assayed in book entitled, "How Good is David Mamet, Anyway?" by critic John Heilpern, Dec. 1999.

As a teenager Mamet was a regular on "Kumzitz," a local Chicago WLS-TV show for Jewish youth. His recurring character was a soda jerk.

Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award for Best Play: in 1984 for "Glengarry Glen Ross," and in 1988 for "Speed-the-Plow.".

His play "Boston Marriage" was performed at the Donmar Warehouse and New Ambassador's Theatre in London and was nominated for a 2002 'Laurence Olivier' Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of 2001.

His favorite books are "Outlaws", "True Grit", "Wolfville", "The Complete Works of Ernest Bramah", "Post Captain", and "Gates of Fire".

He practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

He was one of the screenwriters to receive a million dollars as salary.

He is the son of Lenore June (Silver) and Bernard Morris Mamet. He is of Russian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent.

Ex-son-in-law of Russel Crouse.

Brother of Lynn Mamet.

Interviewed by Frank Rich at the Lighthouse International Theater on Feb. 12th in NYC. (January 2007)

Playwright/screenwriter

Brother-in-law of Matthew Pidgeon.

Born on the same day as Robert Myers (All God's Creatures, 2011).