Author. He was a journalist and film screenwriter, who was the husband of actress Helen Hayes and father to actor James MacArthur. Prior to their marriage, he was said to have had relationships with Beatrice Lillie and Dorothy Parker. The son of an evangelist minister, the fifth of seven children, his passion for the written word began when he was young and his first jobs were as a reporter. He also had a thirst for adventure in his youth and accompanied General John J. Pershing in his pursuit of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. He enlisted in the United States Army during World War I and served in the 149th Field Artillery, part of the Rainbow Division. He would later in 1919 write a book on his war experiences called "A Bug's Eye View of the War". After the war, he returned to journalism, working in Chicago, Illinois, writing stories about the famous and infamous of the day, as well as short stories. After becoming successful with his writings, he decided to go to New York City, where he wrote successful plays for Broadway, including "Lulu Belle," "Salvation," and "The Front Page." He and his writing partner Ben Hecht were invited to Hollywood, where they would eventually write screenplays for "Rasputin and the Empress," "The Scoundrel," "Crime without Passion," "Gunga Din," "Wuthering Heights," and two movie versions of "Front Page." He and his partner were nominated three times for an Academy Award, receiving one in 1935 for Best Screenplay for "The Scoundrel." When World War II began, he reenlisted in the United States Army as a Major in the Chemical Warfare Service and would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel before his tour was done. He again returned to writing after the war and continued to work up until his death in 1956.
Author. He was a journalist and film screenwriter, who was the husband of actress Helen Hayes and father to actor James MacArthur. Prior to their marriage, he was said to have had relationships with Beatrice Lillie and Dorothy Parker. The son of an evangelist minister, the fifth of seven children, his passion for the written word began when he was young and his first jobs were as a reporter. He also had a thirst for adventure in his youth and accompanied General John J. Pershing in his pursuit of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. He enlisted in the United States Army during World War I and served in the 149th Field Artillery, part of the Rainbow Division. He would later in 1919 write a book on his war experiences called "A Bug's Eye View of the War". After the war, he returned to journalism, working in Chicago, Illinois, writing stories about the famous and infamous of the day, as well as short stories. After becoming successful with his writings, he decided to go to New York City, where he wrote successful plays for Broadway, including "Lulu Belle," "Salvation," and "The Front Page." He and his writing partner Ben Hecht were invited to Hollywood, where they would eventually write screenplays for "Rasputin and the Empress," "The Scoundrel," "Crime without Passion," "Gunga Din," "Wuthering Heights," and two movie versions of "Front Page." He and his partner were nominated three times for an Academy Award, receiving one in 1935 for Best Screenplay for "The Scoundrel." When World War II began, he reenlisted in the United States Army as a Major in the Chemical Warfare Service and would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel before his tour was done. He again returned to writing after the war and continued to work up until his death in 1956.
Bio by: Catharine
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