Sidney Sheldon
Sidney Sheldon, born on February 11, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, was the son of Ascher “Otto” Schechtel, a jewelry store manager, and Natalie Marcus. He showed an early talent for writing, selling his first poem at the age of ten. Sheldon attended Denver East High School and later pursued graduate studies at Northwestern University, where he contributed to drama groups with his short plays.
Career Beginnings and Hollywood Success:
In 1937, Sheldon ventured into Hollywood, writing and reviewing scripts. Despite initial challenges, he sold his screenplay “South of Panama” for $250 in 1941. During World War II, Sheldon served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. After the war, he gained recognition as a creative writer in New York, writing musicals for MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures. His success on Broadway included three simultaneous musicals: “The Merry Widow,” “Jackpot,” and “Dream with Music.” Sheldon’s screenplay for “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” earned him an Academy Award in 1947.
Transition to Television and Literary Success:
As television gained popularity, Sheldon shifted his focus, writing and producing series like “The Patty Duke Show” and “I Dream of Jeannie.” He utilized pseudonyms for his work on these shows and others like “Nancy” and “Hart to Hart.” In 1969, Sheldon published his first novel, “The Naked Face,” earning a nomination for Best First Writer. His second novel, “The Other Side of Midnight,” topped the New York Times Best Seller list in 1973. Sheldon meticulously researched his novels, often traveling to locations featured in his stories for authenticity.
Personal Life and Legacy:
Sheldon married actress and interior designer Jorja Curtright Sheldon, with whom he shared thirty years until her death in 1985. He later married Alexandra Kostoff in 1989. Sheldon’s legacy includes 18 bestselling novels, 200 TV scripts, and 25 major films, along with six Broadway plays. He passed away from pneumonia on January 30, 2007, in California, and was laid to rest in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
Sidney Sheldon’s enduring contributions to literature, television, and film solidify his position as one of America’s most celebrated writers and playwrights.
