Born in New Orleans, LA. One of the most important American dramatists, notable for the psychological intensity and liberal views expressed in her plays, she adapted a number of them to the screen and wrote several original screenplays, alone or in collaboration. In addition, several of her plays were adapted to the screen by others, including WATCH ON THE RHINE (1943), ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST (1948), THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (1962) and TOYS IN THE ATTIC (1963). She recounted her life story and her long relationship with writer Dashiell Hammett in an autobiography, An Unfinished Woman (1969), and told of her experiences as an uncooperative witness during the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings in Scoundrel Time (1976). Hellman was blacklisted in 1952 for refusing to identify former leftist associates to the HUAC with the now-famous declaration that "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions." A chapter from her Pentimento provided the basis for the film JULIA (1977), in which Jane Fonda portrayed the author.  Nominated for Writing (Screenplay) 1941: THE LITTLE FOXES  Nominated for Writing (Original Screenplay) 1943: THE NORTH STAR 2 nominations