Next person biography:
Ring Lardner Jr., the son of renowned humorist Ring Lardner Sr., was born on August 19, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois. He was a talented writer and journalist who became involved in politics during the Spanish Civil War, eventually joining the Communist Party. Lardner's leftist views did not deter Hollywood from hiring him, and he went on to win two Oscars for his screenplays.
Lardner's career took a significant turn when he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) to testify about his political affiliations. He refused to cooperate, citing the committee's lack of transparency and his own moral principles. As a result, he was fined and jailed for contempt of Congress, and his career was effectively blacklisted.
Despite this setback, Lardner continued to work in the film industry, often under pseudonyms and fronting for other writers. He eventually returned to work under his own name, and his comeback was marked by his second Oscar win for adapting Robert Hooker's novel "M*A*S*H" in 1971.
Lardner's life was marked by his struggles against the Hollywood blacklist, but he also had a long and successful career as a writer. He passed away on Halloween, October 31, 2000, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented and principled writers of his generation.
