Tom Stoppard obit

Tom Stoppard Dies: Oscar-Winning ‘Shakespeare in Love’ Writer Was 88

 

He was not on the list.

Tom Stoppard, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Shakespeare in Love and 5x Tony-winning playwright, has died. He was 88.

United Agents announced on Saturday that Stoppard died “peacefully” at his Dorset, England home, where he was surrounded by family.

“He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language,” the statement reads, according to the Associated Press. “It was an honor to work with Tom and to know him.”

Mick Jagger remembered Stoppard as “was my favourite playwright,” adding in a social media post, “He leaves us with a majestic body of intellectual and amusing work. I will always miss him.”

Piers Morgan called Stoppard “one of the world‘s greatest dramatists. What a writer! Sad news.”

Born July 3, 1937 in then Zlín, Czechoslovakia, Stoppard attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas after his Jewish family fled Nazi occupation, before settling in the UK after World War II. There, Stoppard began working as a theater critic and playwright.

After penning short radio plays in the ’50s, Stoppard completed his first stage play A Walk on the Water [Enter a Free Man] in 1960, before it took the stage in Hamburg, Germany in ’63. His career took off in 1966 when he debuted Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at the Edinburgh Festival.

Stoppard’s other plays include The Gamblers, Tango, The Real Inspector Hound, Jumpers, Travesties, Night & Day, Arcadia, The Invention of Love and Leopoldstadt.

As a screenwriter, Stoppard penned Empire of the Sun (1987) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), in addition to working on Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005).

Writer

A Christmas Carol

screenplay by

Script

 

National Theatre Live: Leopoldstadt (2022)

National Theatre Live: Leopoldstadt

8.4

Writer

2022

 

David Morrissey, Ed Stoppard, Denise Gough, Jenna Coleman, Maggie Service, and Sam Yates in A Separate Peace (2020)

A Separate Peace

5.6

Video

Writer

2020

 

Alicia Vikander in Tulip Fever (2017)

Tulip Fever

6.2

screenplay by

2017

 

National Theatre Live: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (2017)

National Theatre Live: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

7.9

by

2017

 

National Theatre Live: The Hard Problem (2015)

National Theatre Live: The Hard Problem

7.5

Writer

2015

 

Fifty Years on Stage (2013)

Fifty Years on Stage

8.7

TV Movie

written by (segments "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead", "Arcadia")

2013

 

Rebecca Hall, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Adelaide Clemens in Parade's End (2012)

Parade's End

7.4

TV Mini Series

screenplay

2012

5 episodes

 

Jude Law, Keira Knightley, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Anna Karenina (2012)

Anna Karenina

6.6

screenplay

2012

 

Bereg utopii

TV Special

Writer

2010

 

Dogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth

8.3

play

2005

 

Television Theater (1953)

Television Theater

7.5

TV Series

play

2001

1 episode

 

Jeremy Northam, Kate Winslet, Saffron Burrows, and Dougray Scott in Enigma (2001)

Enigma

6.4

screenplay

2001

 

The Real Thing

Video

Writer

2000

 

Uma Thurman, Gérard Depardieu, and Tim Roth in Vatel (2000)

Vatel

6.6

english adaptation

2000

 

Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes in Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Shakespeare in Love

7.1

written by

1998

 

Dina Meyer and James Caan in Poodle Springs (1998)

Poodle Springs

6.0

TV Movie

teleplay

1998

 

The Fifteen Minute Hamlet (1995)

The Fifteen Minute Hamlet

7.8

Short

play

1995

 

S.O.S.

TV Movie

play

1993

 

Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis, and Loren Dean in Billy Bathgate (1991)

Billy Bathgate

5.9

screenplay

1991

 

Hapgood

TV Movie

play

1991

 

Sean Connery, Michelle Pfeiffer, John Mahoney, Roy Scheider, Klaus Maria Brandauer, and James Fox in The Russia House (1990)

The Russia House

6.1

screenplay

1990

 

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

7.3

written by

1990

 

George Martin in Largo Desolato (1990)

Largo Desolato

7.2

TV Movie

Writer

1990

 

The Dog It Was That Died (1989)

The Dog It Was That Died

7.5

TV Movie

playscreenplay

1989

 

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Empire of the Sun

7.7

screenplay by

1987

 

Professional Foul

9.3

TV Movie

television play

1986

 

Brazil (1985)

Brazil

7.8

screenplay by

1985

 

Konsert för en sluten avdelning

TV Movie

Writer

1984

 

Bernard Hill in Squaring the Circle (1984)

Squaring the Circle

7.5

TV Movie

Writer

1984

 

On the Razzle (1983)

On the Razzle

8.6

TV Movie

by

1983

 

Niels Hinrichsen and Berrit Kvorning in Frit efter Magritte (1980)

Frit efter Magritte

TV Movie

play

1980

 

"The Human Factor" (Saul Bass Poster) 1979

The Human Factor

6.1

screenplay

1979

 

Mr & Mrs Edgehill (1985)

BBC2 Playhouse

6.8

TV Series

play

1979

1 episode

 

Wandelen op water

TV Movie

Writer

1978

 

Dirk Bogarde, Andréa Ferréol, and Volker Spengler in Despair (1978)

Despair

6.9

screenplay

1978

 

Enskilt område

TV Movie

Writer

1978

 

Travesties

TV Movie

Writer

1978

 

BBC2 Play of the Week (1977)

BBC2 Play of the Week

7.0

TV Series

writer

1977

1 episode

 

Tim Curry, Michael Palin, and Stephen Moore in Three Men in a Boat (1975)

Three Men in a Boat

7.0

TV Movie

written by

1975

 

Mesélö városok

TV Mini Series

Writer (segment "Ésszerü magyarázat")

1975

1 episode

 

The Boundary

TV Movie

written by

1975

 

The Romantic Englishwoman (1975)

The Romantic Englishwoman

6.0

screenplay

1975

 

Full House (1972)

Full House

5.6

TV Series

play "After Magritte"

1973

1 episode

 

Szabad, mint a madár (1971)

Szabad, mint a madár

TV Movie

Writer

1971

 

Auf neutralem Boden

TV Movie

Writer

1971

 

Neutraal terrein

TV Movie

Writer

1971

 

Gojko Santic, Nikola Simic, Bora Todorovic, and Stevo Zigon in Ulazi slobodan covek (1971)

Ulazi slobodan covek

TV Movie

play "Enter a Free Man"

1971

 

NBC Experiment in Television (1967)

NBC Experiment in Television

6.8

TV Series

radio play "The Dissolution of Dominic Boot"screenplay

1970

1 episode

 

Richard Beckinsale, Freddie Fletcher, Bernard Hepton, Arthur Lowe, Jack Rosenthal, and Paula Wilcox in ITV Playhouse (1967)

ITV Playhouse

7.0

TV Series

writer

1968

1 episode

 

Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965)

Thirty-Minute Theatre

7.0

TV Series

writer

1967

2 episodes

 

A Separate Peace

3.3

TV Movie

Writer

1966

 

Double Image

TV Mini Series

script

1966

1 episode

 

Der Spleen des George Riley

8.9

TV Movie

play

1965

 

Wendy Hiller, John Stride, and Ted Willis in Knock on Any Door (1965)

Knock on Any Door

8.4

TV Series

Writer

1965

1 episode

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

6.6

TV Series

play

1963

1 episode

 

Script and Continuity Department

Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

The Bourne Ultimatum

8.0

script doctor (uncredited)

2007

 

Heath Ledger in Casanova (2005)

Casanova

6.5

script doctor (uncredited)

2005

 

Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, James Earl Jones, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Hayden Christensen, and Gene Bryant in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

7.6

script doctor (uncredited)

2005

 

Harrison Ford in K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)

K-19: The Widowmaker

6.7

script doctor (uncredited)

2002

 

Glenn Close in 102 Dalmatians (2000)

102 Dalmatians

4.9

script revisions (uncredited)

2000

 

Christopher Walken in Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sleepy Hollow

7.3

script doctor (uncredited)

1999

 

Meg Ryan, Robert Downey Jr., Sam Neill, and Polly Walker in Restoration (1995)

Restoration

6.6

script doctor (uncredited)

1995

 

Schindler's List (1993)

Schindler's List

9.0

script doctor (uncredited)

1993

 

Robert Downey Jr. in Chaplin (1992)

Chaplin

7.5

script doctor (uncredited)

1992

 

Beethoven (1992)

Beethoven

5.7

script revisions (uncredited)

1992

 

Sean Connery and Lorraine Bracco in Medicine Man (1992)

Medicine Man

6.0

script doctor (uncredited)

1992

 

Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Bob Hoskins, Dante Basco, David Crosby, Robert Amico, Jasen Fisher, Stephanie Furst, Raushan Hammond, James Madio, Regina Russell Banali, Alex Zuckerman, and Paul Babb in Hook (1991)

Hook

6.8

script doctor (uncredited)

1991

 

Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Denholm Elliott, Michael Byrne, Alison Doody, and John Rhys-Davies in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

8.2

script doctor (uncredited)

1989

 

Producer

Rebecca Hall, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Adelaide Clemens in Parade's End (2012)

Parade's End

7.4

TV Mini Series

executive producer

2012

3 episodes

 

Actor

Dina Meyer and James Caan in Poodle Springs (1998)

Poodle Springs

6.0

TV Movie

(unconfirmed)

1998

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.2

TV Series

Subject

1975

1 episode

 

The Annual Evening Standard Drama Awards

TV Special

Hetself- Winner: Best Play

1973

 

'In Side Out' (1964)

'In Side Out'

Short

1964

 

Director

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

7.3

Director

1990

 

Thanks

Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook

6.8

huge thank you: to our KICKSTARTER supporters

2014

 

Shakespeare in Love and on Film

7.2

TV Movie

thanks

1999

 

John Travolta in A Civil Action (1998)

A Civil Action

6.6

the producers wish to thank

1998

 

Self

Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright in Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (2023)

Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd

7.3

Self

2023

 

The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal (2021)

The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal

7.3

TV Series

Self

2023

1 episode

 

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie in Today (1952)

Today

4.6

TV Series

Self - Guest

2023

1 episode

 

Born to Be the King (2022)

Born to Be the King

6.4

TV Movie

Self (as Sir Tom Stoppard)

2022

 

Brian Friel in Brian Friel: Shy Man, Showman (2022)

Brian Friel: Shy Man, Showman

Self

2022

 

Jo Brand and Alan Yentob in Imagine (2003)

Imagine

7.6

TV Series

Self

2021

1 episode

 

Evening Urgant (2012)

Evening Urgant

6.2

TV Series

Self - Guest

2019

1 episode

 

Steven Spielberg in Spielberg (2017)

Spielberg

7.7

TV Movie

Self - Writer

2017

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.7

TV Series

Self - Playwright

2013

2 episodes

 

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards

6.9

TV Special

Self - Nominee (credit only)

2013

 

Anna Karenina: A Story of Epic Love (2013)

Anna Karenina: A Story of Epic Love

7.2

Video

Self

2013

 

Creating the Extraordinary World of Anna Karenina (2013)

Creating the Extraordinary World of Anna Karenina

Video

Self

2013

 

Parade's End: Featurette

6.3

TV Movie

Self

2013

 

Charlie Rose in Charlie Rose (1991)

Charlie Rose

7.5

TV Series

Self - Guest

1995–2012

7 episodes

 

Mi reino por un caballo (2010)

Mi reino por un caballo

TV Series

Self

2011

1 episode

 

Dirk Bogarde in The Cinema and its Double - Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 'Despair' Revisited (2011)

The Cinema and its Double - Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 'Despair' Revisited

7.2

Video

Self

2011

 

Al Pacino, Oscar Wilde, and Jessica Chastain in Wilde Salomé (2011)

Wilde Salomé

6.6

Self

2011

 

Amnesty! When They Are All Free

7.9

Self - Writer

2011

 

Ànima (2009)

Ànima

4.1

TV Series

Self

2009

1 episode

 

André Previn - Eine Brücke zwischen den Welten

Self

2009

 

Melvyn Bragg in The South Bank Show (1978)

The South Bank Show

7.1

TV Series

Self

1978–2008

2 episodes

 

Movie Connections (2007)

Movie Connections

6.5

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

The 61st Annual Tony Awards (2007)

The 61st Annual Tony Awards

6.9

TV Special

Self - Winner

2007

 

Dan Crawford in The King's Head: A Maverick in London (2006)

The King's Head: A Maverick in London

9.0

Video

Self (as Sir Tom Stoppard)

2006

 

The British Comedy Awards 2004

6.6

TV Special

Self - Presenter

2004

 

Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute

8.5

TV Special

Self

2004

 

The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1998)

The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts

6.5

TV Special

Self

2003

 

John Boorman in Journey Into Light (2001)

Journey Into Light

TV Short

Self

2001

 

The 55th Annual Tony Awards (2001)

The 55th Annual Tony Awards

6.8

TV Special

Self - Nominee & Presenter

2001

 

The Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2000

TV Special

Self - Presenter

2000

 

The Evening Standard British Film Awards

TV Special

Self - Winner: Best Screenplay

2000

 

Inside Hollywood: The Pictures, the People, the Academy Awards (1999)

Inside Hollywood: The Pictures, the People, the Academy Awards

TV Movie

Self

1999

 

Shakespeare in Love and on Film

7.2

TV Movie

Self

1999

 

Close Up (1998)

Close Up

TV Series

Self

1999

1 episode

 

The 71st Annual Academy Awards (1999)

The 71st Annual Academy Awards

6.1

TV Special

Self - Winner

1999

 

The 51th Annual Writers Guild of America Awards

TV Special

Self - Winner

1999

 

Dear John: A Tribute to John Wells

TV Movie

Self

1998

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.2

TV Series

Self

1997

1 episode

 

David Letterman in Late Night with David Letterman (1982)

Late Night with David Letterman

7.5

TV Series

Self

1991

1 episode

 

The Late Clive James

7.3

TV Series

Self

1986

1 episode

 

What Is Brazil? (1985)

What Is Brazil?

6.6

TV Movie

Self

1985

 

David Shire, Didi Conn, and Robert Guillaume in The 38th Annual Tony Awards (1984)

The 38th Annual Tony Awards

7.0

TV Special

Self - Winner

1984

 

Frank Delaney

TV Series

Self

1983

1 episode

 

Reputations

TV Series

Self

1982

1 episode

 

Friday Night, Saturday Morning (1979)

Friday Night, Saturday Morning

6.2

TV Series

Self

1979

1 episode

 

Eamonn Andrews in This Is Your Life (1955)

This Is Your Life

6.4

TV Series

Self

1978

1 episode

 

Bukovsky (1977)

Bukovsky

6.2

Self

1977

 

The Book Programme (1973)

The Book Programme

TV Series

Self

1975–1977

2 episodes

 

Andre Previn Meets ....

TV Series

Self

1977

1 episode

 

Aquarius (1970)

Aquarius

6.8

TV Series

Self

1975

1 episode

 

The Brian Connell Interview

TV Series

Self

1973

1 episode

 

Call My Bluff (1965)

Call My Bluff

7.1

TV Series

Self

1972

2 episodes

 

One Pair of Eyes (1967)

One Pair of Eyes

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1972

1 episode

 

Desmond Dekker in Review (1969)

Review

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

Late Night Line-Up (1964)

Late Night Line-Up

6.6

TV Series

Self - Panellist

1968

1 episode

 

The 22nd Annual Tony Awards (1968)

The 22nd Annual Tony Awards

8.3

TV Special

Self

1968

 

Merv Griffin in The Merv Griffin Show (1962)

The Merv Griffin Show

6.6

TV Series

Self - playwright

1967

1 episode

 

The Newcomers

TV Mini Series

Self

1964

2 episodes

 

Archive Footage

Mehmet Açar in Film Önü / Arkasi (2019)

Film Önü / Arkasi

6.8

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2019

1 episode

 

Matt Sloan and Craig Johnson in Welcome to the Basement (2012)

Welcome to the Basement

8.1

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2016

1 episode

 

Ian Fleming and Geoffrey Boothroyd in Timeshift (2002)

Timeshift

7.0

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2005

1 episode