- Born
- Birth nameElizabeth Becker Henley
- Beth Henley was born on May 8, 1952 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. She is a writer and actress, known for Crimes of the Heart (1986), True Stories (1986) and Swing Shift (1984).
- Stories set in the South
- Female bonding as a central theme
- With Stephen Tobolowsky, she co-wrote David Bryne's "True Stories". Tobolowsky documents much of their time together on his podcast "The Tobolowsky Files".
- Won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play "Crimes of the Heart".
- Received a BFA degree from Southern Methodist University 1974. Attended University of Illinois 1975-1976. Performed with the Dallas Minority Repertory Theater as well as the New Salem Sate Park Theatre, (Illinois), in 1976. Wrote the script for the pilot episode of "Morgan's Daughters."
- While studying at an acting workshop in the Burbank, California, she wrote a play called "Crimes of Passion". The title was later changed to "Crimes of the Heart" and it won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1982 Tony Award as author of Best Play nominee "Crimes of the Heart."
- Compared to being a playwright, when you're on the set you're really not meant to talk to people or give any advice. In theater you have more of a relationship with the director. You can say things to the actor. If the movie gets made, there's something so beautiful about it being seen all over the world. [With Crimes of the Heart (1986)] you made a lot more money. That was to my liking.
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