Born in South-Africa in 1934, Ronald Harwood moved to London in 1951 to pursue a career in the theater. After attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he joined the Shakespeare Company of Sir 'Donald Wolfit' and his non-fiction book 'All the world's a stage', a general history of theater. Harwood also has a strong interest in the WWII period, as highlighted by the films 'Operation daybreak', 'The Statement', 'The Pianist', and his play turned to film 'Taking sides'. Based on true stories, the two last films feature once again musicians as their main characters. Made Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1974 and Commander of the British Empire in 1999, Harwood was president of the international PEN Club from 1993 to 1997 after presiding the British section during the four previous years.
His comedy, Quartet performed at the Albery Theatre in 1999, was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2000 for Best New Comedy.
Was nominated for Broadways 1982 Tony Award as author of Best Play nominee "The Dresser."
He was awarded the C.B.E. in the 1999 Queens New Years Honors List for his services to literature.
He is the first Oscar winning screenwriter, ever, to write a book solely about the craft of screen-writing - Ronald Harwoods Adaptations .
Ranked #90 on the 2008 Telegraphs list "the 100 most powerful people in British culture".
Cousin of stage actor Antony Sher (their mothers are sisters).
He is the only Oscar winning screenwriter ever to write a book on screenwriting "Ronald Harwoods Adaptations". Most other screenwriting books are written by people who have never even had a film made let alone win awards.
He was awarded the Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.
(January 2007) He is based in London, England.
(December 2007) He has just written Ronald Harwoods Adaptations. This is the first book solely on screenwriting by someone who has actually won an Oscar for screenwriting.
(June 2010) South Kensington, London, England
(March 2008) His play "An English Tragedy" is currently premiering at Watford Palace Theatre, England.
