Born in Dobbs Ferry, NY; educated at St. John's College, Annapolis, MD. One of Hollywood's most literate screenwriters, he did screen adaptations of the works of some of America's leading writers and also wrote, sometimes in collaboration, a number of solid original stories and screenplays, including non-nominated screenplays for CLOSE-UP (1948), WITHOUT HONOR (1949), PAULA (1952), A SLIGHT CASE OF LARCENY (1953), THE BIG KNIFE (1955), ATTACK (1956), HOT SPELL (1958), LAST TRAIN FROM GUN HILL (1959), SANCTUARY and SUMMER AND SMOKE (both 1961), TOYS IN THE ATTIC (1963) and THE BEDFORD INCIDENT (1965) and RIOT (1969). Formerly with "The March of Time," he was married (1969-1978) to actress-producer Barbara Steele.  Writing (Best Screenplay Adapted) 1956: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (w. John V. Farrow & S. J. Perelman)  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1958: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (w. Richard Brooks)  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1963: LILIES OF THE FIELD  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1969: THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? (w. Robert E. Thompson) 4 nominations, 1 Award