Born in Salinas, CA. The Nobel Prize-winning author of The Grapes of Wrath and several other novels that have been successfully adapted into films by others: OF MICE AND MEN (1939, 1992), TORTILLA FLAT (1942), EAST OF EDEN (1955) and CANNERY ROW (1982). He also contributed a number of stories and screenplays directly for the screen.    Nominated for Writing (Original Story) 1944: LIFEBOAT    Nominated for Writing (Original Story) 1945: A MEDAL FOR BENNY (w. Jack Wagner)    Nominated for Writing (Story and Screenplay) 1952: VIVA ZAPATA! 3 nominations