Ring Lardner

Who was Ring Lardner?

Ringgold Wilmer Lardner Jr. (August 15 or 19, 1915 – October 31, 2000) was an American screenwriter and novelist. Born in Chicago, he was the son of Ellis (Abbott) and the nationally known journalist, humorist and short story writer Ring Lardner. Ring Jr. and his three brothers—James, John, and David—grew up in material and cultural privilege. He was educated at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He attended Princeton University for two years but then dropped out ("I didn't see the point of finishing") in June 1934. After enjoying early success in Hollywood, he was subpoenaed in 1947 by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), where he refused to answer whether he was a member of the Communist Party. He was declared in contempt of Congress, blacklisted by the film studios as one of the "Hollywood Ten", and sentenced to a year in federal prison.

Lardner's next screenplay credit, using his own name, was not until The Cincinnati Kid in 1965.

Historical significance

He went on to win an Academy Award for his M*A*S*H (1970) screenplay.