Michael Cristofer

Photo of Michael Cristofer

Biography

After a decade of acting in the theater, Michael Cristofer found fame, as well as won the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony for writing the 1977 Broadway play "The Shadow Box", a character piece about three terminally-ill patients. The play had its initial premiere in 1975 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Prior to its Broadway run, Cristofer had had a few plays produced, including the 1972 street theater piece "Americommedia", theater piece …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Writer, Music

Born

Michael Ivan Cristofer on January 22, 1945 in Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Career Milestones

2010

Performed in the stage revival of "A View From the Bridge"

2009

Wrote the pilot episode of the short-lived series, "Eastwick" (ABC)

2009

Penned the Lifetime movie, "Georgia O'Keeffe," about the famed artist

2005

Penned the screenplay for Lasse Hallström's "Casanova"

2001

Wrote and directed "Original Sin"; based upon the novella "Waltz into Darkness"

1999

Feature directorial debut, "Body Shots"

1998

Made directorial debut with the HBO biopic, "Gia"; based on the life and death of model Gia Carrangi (played by Angelina Jolie); also co-wrote

1997

Produced and adapted his play, "Breaking Up" for the screen

1987

Wrote screenplay for "The Witches of Eastwick"

1984

Last screen acting to date, "The Little Drummer Girl"

1984

First produced screenplay, "Falling in Love"

1980

Adapted "Shadow Box" for television; aired on ABC and was directed by Paul Newman

1978

Co-starred in the feature film, "An Enemy of the People"

1977

Opened "The Shadow Box" on Broadway

1977

Made New York stage debut as Trofimov in "The Cherry Orchard"

1975

Appeared in the CBS pilot, "Crime Club"

1975

Breakthrough play, "The Shadow Box," played in Los Angeles and New Haven

1974

Feature acting debut in "The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder"

1972

First play, "Americommedia," was produced as street theatre

Was a member of the Arena Stage in Washington, DC

Awards

1998

Directors Guild of America Award for Movies For Television and Mini-Series in Gia

1998

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Miniseries or a Movie in Gia

1981

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Limited Series or a Special in The Shadow Box

1977

Tony Award for Play