John James Osborne (1929-1994) was a renowned English playwright and actor, best known for his play “Look Back in Anger,” which revolutionized British theatre in the 1950s.
Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John James Osborne |
| Birth Date | 12 December 1929 |
| Death Date | 24 December 1994 |
| Profession | Playwright, Screenwriter, Actor, Entrepreneur |
| Notable Works | Look Back in Anger (1956), The Entertainer (1957), Luther (1961), Inadmissable Evidence (1964), Get Carter (1971) |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Play (1964 – Luther), Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Tom Jones – 1963), BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay (Tom Jones – 1963) |
| Marriages | Five times; last marriage to Helen Dawson in 1978 |
| Autobiographies | A Better Class of Person (1981), Almost a Gentleman (1991) |
| Collection of Non-Fiction | Damn You, England (1994) |
| Cause of Death | Complications of diabetes |
Early Life
John James Osborne was born on December 12, 1929, in Fulham, London, England. He was raised in a working-class family, which significantly influenced his perspective and later works as a playwright. Osborne’s early life was marked by a series of relocations due to his father’s illness and subsequent death when John was just ten years old. These experiences of instability and hardship left a lasting impression on him, shaping his critical view of society and authority. After his father’s death, John and his mother moved frequently, eventually settling in the London suburb of Stoneleigh, Surrey. Despite the challenges, Osborne’s early environment played a crucial role in developing his distinctive voice in British theater.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Thomas Godfrey Osborne | Thomas was a commercial artist and copywriter. He had a significant influence on John’s early life and career. |
| Mother | Nellie Beatrice Grove | Nellie worked as a barmaid. She played a crucial role in John’s upbringing and supported his artistic endeavors. |
| Sibling | None | John James Osborne was an only child and did not have any siblings. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Chest | Unknown |
| Waist | Unknown |
| Hip | Unknown |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
John James Osborne, also known as “Ozzy Osbourne,” is currently married to Sharon Osbourne. They were married on July 4, 1982. Sharon is a television host, author, and music manager, best known for her work on “The Osbournes,” a reality television show that chronicled the lives of the Osbourne family.
| Name | Type of Relationship | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Thelma Riley | Wife | Married in 1971 and divorced in 1982. They had two children, Jessica and Louis, and Ozzy also adopted Thelma’s son from a previous relationship. |
| Mabel | Girlfriend | Details not widely documented. |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
John James Osborne became famous primarily through his groundbreaking play, Look Back in Anger (1956), which is often credited with transforming British theatre. The play introduced audiences to the “angry young man” archetype and marked a departure from the more genteel and polite forms of drama that had dominated the stage.
Osborne’s career began in the 1950s. Initially, he worked as an actor and a playwright. His early works did not receive much attention, but this changed with the success of Look Back in Anger. The play’s success opened doors for him and established him as a significant voice in British theatre. Some of his other notable works include:
- The Entertainer (1957)
- Luther (1961)
- Inadmissible Evidence (1964)
- A Patriot for Me (1965)
- Dejavu (1992)
Throughout his career, Osborne received several awards and honors, including:
- The Evening Standard Drama Award for Look Back in Anger (1957)
- The New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Luther (1964)
- An Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Tom Jones (1963)
- The Tony Award for Best Play for Luther (1964)
Osborne’s life and career were not without controversy. Some of the notable controversies include:
- Personal Life: Osborne’s personal life was often tumultuous. He was married five times, and his relationships were frequently marred by infidelity and acrimony. His candid and often vitriolic autobiographies, A Better Class of Person (1981) and Almost a Gentleman (1991), did little to soften his public image.
- Political Views: Osborne was known for his outspoken and often controversial political views. He was highly critical of the British establishment and the monarchy, which earned him both admirers and detractors.
- Public Feuds: Osborne engaged in several public feuds with other writers and critics. His sharp tongue and acerbic wit made him a formidable adversary, but also alienated many in the literary and theatrical communities.
John James Osborne remains a significant figure in the history of British theatre. His contributions to drama and his role in shaping modern British theatre are undeniable, even as his personal life and outspoken nature continue to elicit mixed reactions.
Faq
John James Osborne (1929-1994) was an English playwright, screenwriter, and actor known for his sharp and critical works that challenged the status quo of British theatre. He is best known for his play “Look Back in Anger” (1956), which is considered a seminal work in the “Angry Young Men” movement.
John Osborne’s most famous work is “Look Back in Anger,” which premiered in 1956. The play was groundbreaking for its depiction of disillusionment and anger among the post-war generation in Britain. It is credited with changing the landscape of British theatre and giving rise to the “Angry Young Men” movement.
The “Angry Young Men” was a term used to describe a group of British writers in the 1950s and 1960s who expressed disillusionment with the established social order. Their works often featured protagonists who were disenchanted with the status quo and voiced their frustrations openly. John Osborne’s “Look Back in Anger” is often cited as a key work of this movement.
John Osborne’s works often explored themes such as social and class struggles, disillusionment, and the complexities of human relationships. His characters were frequently depicted as conflicted and disenchanted, reflecting the broader societal tensions of his time.
Yes, John Osborne received numerous awards and accolades for his work. He won the Evening Standard Drama Award for “Look Back in Anger” and later received an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the film “Tom Jones” (1963), which he co-wrote.
