born Nov. 16, 1889, Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S
died June 2, 1961, New York, N.Y.
U.S. playwright and director.
He was drama critic for The New York Times (1917–30). Known for his caustic wit and talent for brilliant satire, he wrote many plays in collaboration with other writers, including Marc Connelly , Morrie Ryskind (1895–1985), and Edna Ferber . His most memorable collaboration was with Moss Hart , with whom he wrote Once in a Lifetime (1930), You Can't Take It with You (1936, Pulitzer Prize), and The Man Who Came to Dinner (1939).