Biography
Acknowledged as one of the most promising playwrights in contemporary American theater, the openly gay Jon Robin Baitz has begun to branch out into films and television. His plays have generally been described as classically structured meditations on morality and they not only challenge and please audiences but also earn critical encomiums.
The son of an executive of Carnation Company, Baitz had a peripatetic childhood, living with his family …
Career Milestones
| Raised in Brazil and South Africa | ||
| Was sales clerk at Book Soup on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles; first met Henry Jaglom who was a customer | ||
| Worked as producers' assistant; used experience as inspiration for play "Mizlansky/Zilansky" | ||
1978 | Returned to Los Angeles with family | |
1979 | Travelled throughout Europe and Israel | |
1987 | First two-act play produced in Los Angeles, "The Film Society" | |
1988 | "The Film Society" produced in London and later Off-Broadway in NYC; latter staging featured Nathan Lane | |
1991 | TV writing and directing debut, "Three Hotels" for "American Playhouse" on PBS | |
1992 | Had two plays produced successfully off-Broadway, "The End of the Day" and "The Substance of Fire" | |
1993 | Co-scripted (with Howard A Rodman) an episode of the Showtime anthology series "Fallen Angels" entitled "The Frightening Frammis"; adapted from a story by Jim Thompson; episode marked Tom Cruise's directorial debut | |
1995 | Feature film acting debut, "Last Summer in the Hamptons", directed by Henry Jaglom | |
1996 | Feature film debut as producer and screenwriter, "The Substance of Fire" (adapted from his play) | |
1996 | Garnered praise for Off-Broadway play "A Fair Country" | |
1996 | Had small role as a business associate of Michelle Pfeiffer's in the comedy "One Fine Day" | |
1998 | A revision of an earlier work, "Mizlansky/Zilinsky, or 'Schmucks'" opened Off-Broadway; Nathan Lane co-starred; staged by Joe Mantello | |
1998 | Contributed the first act to the play "House"; Terrence McNally wrote second half; staged by Mantello at Bay Street Theater | |
1999 | Adapted Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler"; produced at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse with Annette Bening in the lead; restaged in summer 2000 at Long Island's Bay Street Theater starring Kate Burton; later played at Boston's Huntington Theatre | |
2001 | "Ten Unknowns", about an aging painter and a scientist who becomes involved with him, opened Off-Broadway starring Donald Sutherland and Juliana Margulies | |
2002 | Wrote the screenplay for the feature film "People I Know" | |
2006 | Created the ABC family drama, "Brothers and Sisters"; served as producer and writer | |