'Mos of the Month: Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams (March 26, 1911 - February 25, 1983)
Originally born with the name Thomas Lanier Williams, he was raised in St. Louis, Missouri (a home state homo, yay!). In 1938, he got his B.A. from the University of Iowa, and then later on changed his first name to Tennessee after his father's home state.
During his job as a scriptwriter at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he wrote an original screenplay but was rejected by the company. It was soon reworked into a play named "The Glass Menagerie" and earned the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. This launch Williams' career.
Some of his award winning plays include "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The Rose Tattoo," and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He sparked controversy by adding gay characters to his plays. Some best known actors have played roles of his plays such as Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor.
He had a love partner, Frank Marlo, and they were together for more than 10 years. In 1963, Marlo died of cancer.
Williams' was known as one of the most influential American playwrights, and has won two Pulitzer Prizes, four Drama Critics' Circle Awards, and a Tony for Best Play.
For more information: Tennessee Williams