Born in Brooklyn, NY. A former radio writer, he got into films in the mid-40s through his association with the Bob Hope show. He collaborated on many funny screenplays for Hope, Danny Kaye, and other comedy stars as well as some light musicals. In the mid-50s he also began directing and producing with mixed results. Besides writing and directing THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS (1955) and HOUSEBOAT (1958), he also wrote and directed THE FIVE PENNIES (1959), IT STARTED IN NAPLES (1960), THE PIGEON THAT TOOK ROME (1962, also producer) and YOURS, MINE AND OURS (1968). In 1971 he published a book, How to Make a Jewish Movie, about his misadventures while filming CAST A GIANT SHADOW in Israel. In 1975 he published Lualda, a racy, humorous novel about Hollywood. His book The Great Houdinis! was published in 1976, and he edited Bob Hope's Don't Shoot, It's Only Me (1991), a comedy history of the US. Shavelson was president of the WGA/West (1979 - 1981).  Nominated for Writing (Story and Screenplay) 1955: THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS (w. Jack Rose)  Nominated for Writing (Story and Screenplay) 1958: HOUSEBOAT (w. Jack Rose) 2 nominations