Born in Los Angeles; educated at Bard College, Yale; son of writer-producer John Stone. The holder of a doctorate in literature, he became established in the 1960s as a successful writer for both the stage and screen. For Broadway he authored such musicals as Kean (1961), Skyscraper (1965), 1776 (1969), and Two for the Seesaw (1970). He became one of the most respected librettists in the business. In Hollywood, he made an impressive start with the script of CHARADE (1961), which was based on a novel he had co-authored, and in 1964 he shared an Academy Award for the screenplay of FATHER GOOSE. He also wrote for TV, winning an Emmy Award in 1963. He sometimes wrote under the pseudonyms Pierre Marton and Peter Joshua. Other notable (non-nominated) credits include ARABESQUE (1966), THE SECRET WAR OF HARRY FRIGG (1968), SWEET CHARITY (1969), SKIN GAME (1971), THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3 (1974), WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE? (1978) and JUST CAUSE (1995).  Writing (Best Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) 1964: FATHER GOOSE (w. S.H. Barnett & Frank Tarloff) 1 nomination, 1 Award