Herman J. Mankiewicz

Herman J. Mankiewicz was a prominent American screenwriter, born in 1897, who made significant contributions to the film industry. His most notable work was the screenplay for the iconic film Citizen Kane, which he co-wrote with Orson Welles in 1941. This collaboration earned both Mankiewicz and Welles the prestigious Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Prior to his success in screenwriting, Mankiewicz had established himself as a talented journalist and critic, working as a correspondent and editor for various notable publications.

Mankiewicz's career in journalism was marked by his work as a Berlin correspondent for Women's Wear Daily and as an assistant theater editor at The New York Times. He also held the distinction of being the first regular drama critic at The New Yorker. His sharp wit and humor were widely recognized, with Alexander Woollcott famously describing him as the "funniest man in New York". Mankiewicz's life and career were cut short when he passed away in 1953, at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy as a talented screenwriter and journalist.