Paddy Chayefsky was an American playwright and screenwriter. He is the only individual to have garnered three solo Academy Awards for penning down both original and adapted screenplays. Recognized as one of the most popular dramatists of the Golden Age of Television, he was known for providing realistic scripts for television. A Bronx native, Chayefsky grew up alongside two elder brothers. He studied at DeWitt Clinton High School where he edited his school’s magazine. Following his graduation from Clinton at the age of 16, he studied social sciences from City College of New York. In 1943, Chayefsky joined the United States Army and studied languages at Fordham University during his service. He went to Hollywood in 1947 with the dream of becoming a screenwriter and soon became a noted playwright. As a screenwriter, Chayefsky garnered three Academy Awards for ‘The Hospital,’ ‘Network,’ and ‘Marty.’ He died of pleurisy at the age of 58.
