Linda Woolverton, a talented individual, was born in Long Beach, California, and graduated from high school in 1969 with honors in her school's theater program.
She then enrolled at California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater Arts in 1973.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Woolverton worked full-time in the entertainment division at Disneyland for a year, before pursuing her Master's degree in Theater for Children at California State Fullerton.
During this time, she also worked as a substitute teacher, further honing her skills and gaining valuable experience.
Upon the completion of her Master's degree in 1976, Woolverton formed her own children's theater company, where she wrote, directed, and performed in various productions across California.
She also began coaching children who were acting in commercials, and in 1980, she started working as a development executive for CBS, focusing on both children's and late-night programming.
In 1984, Woolverton transitioned to children's television writing, penning scripts for popular shows such as Star Wars: Ewoks, The Real Ghostbusters, Alvin & the Chipmunks, and DuckTales.
Additionally, she published two young adult novels, Starwind and Running Before the Wind.
One of her novels caught the attention of a Disney executive, leading to her being hired to write the script for the animated motion picture Beauty and the Beast in 1991.
The film's success was unprecedented, becoming the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Woolverton also co-wrote the script for The Lion King in 1994 and Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey in 1993.
She adapted the script of Beauty and the Beast for the stage, which premiered on Broadway in the spring of 1994 and received critical acclaim.
The production was later nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book in a Musical.
Woolverton also wrote the book for Disney's third Broadway production, Aida.
