Born Sidney Aaron Chayefsky in the Bronx, NY. Passionate, perceptive American scenarist and playwright (The Tenth Man, Gideon, The Latent Heterosexual) who first gained recognition during the Golden Age of Television in the early 1950s. Chayefsky's early naturalistic dramas for both TV and film, best exemplified by the award-winning feature, MARTY (1955) (adapted from one of his TV scripts), demonstrated an informed respect for common people and their everyday problems. His later bitingly satirical work, however, such as the Oscar®-winning THE HOSPITAL (1971) and NETWORK (1976), took on a bitter, critical edge rarely equalled in American films. Some of his notable (non-nominated) credits include AS YOUNG AS YOU FEEL (1951) and THE BACHELOR PARTY (1957), MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (1959), THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY (1964), PAINT YOUR WAGON (1969). Though he wrote the novel, Altered States, his screenplay for the 1980 film of the same name was so altered by director Ken Russell that Chayefsky took credit under the pseudonym Sidney Aaron. He died of cancer the following year.

Writing (Best Screenplay) 1955: MARTY  Nominated for Writing (Best Story and Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1958: THE GODDESS  Writing (Best Story and Screenplay based on factual material or material not previously published or produced) 1971: THE HOSPITAL  Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1976: NETWORK 4 nominations, 3 Awards