Charles Brackett, born in Saratoga Springs, New York, was a man of Scottish descent who followed in his attorney-father's footsteps, graduating with a law degree from Harvard University in 1920. After practicing law for several years, he began his career as a drama critic for The New Yorker, writing short stories for The Saturday Evening Post.
In 1932, Brackett made the move to Hollywood, where he was signed by Paramount primarily due to his novel "Week-End". He spent nearly two decades at the studio, doubling as a producer from 1945. During his time at Paramount, Brackett formed a legendary screenwriting partnership with Billy Wilder, dubbed "the happiest couple in Hollywood" by Life Magazine.
Despite their vastly different personalities, the duo collaborated on 14 films, including Ninotchka, Ball of Fire, and The Lost Weekend, which showcased their witty dialogue and intricate scripting. Their crowning achievement was Sunset Boulevard, which won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.
After the team disbanded in 1951, Brackett moved to 20th Century Fox, where he worked under contract for the next eight years. He co-wrote the screenplays for Niagara and Titanic, winning his third Oscar for the latter. Brackett also produced several notable films, including Garden of Evil, The Virgin Queen, and The King and I.
