Photo: Monique Carboni

Born in The Bronx, NY; educated at NYU (educational theater). Earned almost overnight recognition for his first play, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, and has continued to win acclaim for his stage work, which often revolves around working-class, ethnic concerns. Shanley made his Hollywood reputation with MOONSTRUCK (1987), a deftly constructed romantic comedy set in Brooklyn's Italian-American community. The film won three Oscars (one for best original screenplay) and was a huge box-office success. His subsequent film efforts -- notably his script for the confused crime thriller, THE JANUARY MAN (1989), and his directorial debut with the overblown JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (1990) -- have been somewhat disappointing. Other writing credits include FIVE CORNERS (1987), ALIVE (1993), CONGO (1995), PAPILLONS DE NUIT (book, play Danny and the Deep Blue Sea). "Live from Baghdad" (TV - teleplay) (both 2002), THE RED COAT (2006), and DOUBT (2008, screenplay from his play; also director).  Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1987: MOONSTRUCK 1 nomination, 1 Award