Born in Saratoga Springs, NY. After graduating from Williams College in 1915, he studied law at Harvard, as had his father, who also served in the New York legislature. His studies were interrupted by World War I service in Europe, first as vice-consul in Nazaire, France, then as a second lieutenant with the American Expeditionary Forces. Upon his discharge, he returned to Harvard and in 1920 completed his law studies and also published his first novel, The Council of the Ungodly. For the next six years he practiced law but continued writing magazine articles and stories. His second novel, Weekend (1925), resulted in a post with The New Yorker as drama critic, a job he held until 1929. His other novels include The Last Infirmity, American Colony, and Entirely Surrounded. Hollywood began buying stories from Brackett in the early 20s. In 1932 Brackett signed a contract as a staff writer with Paramount, but his first credit as a screenwriter did not come until 1935. After several indifferent collaborations, he was assigned by Paramount to work with Billy Wilder, then a young writer from Vienna. Their collaboration was successful from the start, resulting in some of the brightest Hollywood screenplays in the period 1938-50. In 1943 they embarked upon their celebrated teamwork as producer (Brackett), director (Wilder), and screenwriter (both), which was to win them Academy Awards for THE LOST WEEKEND (1945) and SUNSET BLVD. (1950). Brackett went on to produce many distinguished films, collaborating with other directors and screenwriters. In 1953 he won another Academy Award, as co-author of the screenplay of TITANIC (1953). He was president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1949 to 1955.  Nominated for Writing (Screenplay) 1939: NINOTCHKA (w. Walter Reisch & Billy Wilder)  Nominated for Writing (Screenplay) 1941: HOLD BACK THE DAWN (w. Billy Wilder)  Best Picture 1945: THE LOST WEEKEND - Producer at Paramount  Writing (Screenplay) 1945: THE LOST WEEKEND (w. Billy Wilder)  Nominated for Writing (Original Story) 1946: TO EACH HIS OWN  Nominated for Writing (Screenplay) 1948: A FOREIGN AFFAIR (w. Billy Wilder & Richard L. Breen)  Nominated for Best Picture 1950: SUNSET BLVD. - Producer at Paramount  Writing (Story and Screenplay) 1950: SUNSET BLVD. (w. Billy Wilder & D. M. Marshman, Jr.)  Writing (Story and Screenplay) 1953: TITANIC (w. Walter Reisch & Richard L. Breen)  Nominated for Best Picture 1956: THE KING AND I - Producer at 20th Century-Fox  Honorary Award 1957: For outstanding service to the Academy. Winner presented a Statuette. 10 nominations, 4 Awards, 1 Honorary Award