Ron Nyswaner
James Schamus (left) and Nyswaner (right), 2009
Born (1956-10-05) October 5, 1956
Clarksville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Pittsburgh (BA)
Columbia University (MFA)
Occupation(s)Film director, writer

Ronald L. Nyswaner (born October 5, 1956) is an American screenwriter and film director.[1] He has been nominated for numerous awards including an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

He is known for his screenplays Smithereens (1982), Philadelphia (1993), The Painted Veil (2006), Freeheld (2015), My Policeman (2022). He is also known as a writer and producer of the Showtime series Ray Donovan (2013-2015), Homeland (2017-2018), and the historical drama series Fellow Travelers.

Early life and education

Nyswaner was born in Clarksville, Pennsylvania. He later attended the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University.[2]

Career

Nyswaner wrote his first screenplay for the Susan Seidelman film Smithereens. After two other notable screenplays for Swing Shift and Mrs. Soffel, he gave his directorial debut with The Prince of Pennsylvania in 1988, a film with Keanu Reeves and Fred Ward.

Nyswaner, who is openly gay[3] and an activist for gay rights, has often worked on movies with the subjects homosexuality, homophobia, and AIDS. In 1993, he came to worldwide prominence for his screenplay to the Academy Award-winning movie Philadelphia, directed by Jonathan Demme. It earned him nominations at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, and the BAFTAs.

After several years of working for television, he wrote the screenplay for the 2006 film The Painted Veil, based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. He received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award and won the award of the National Board of Review in 2006.

From 2015 to 2017, he was an executive producer for the Showtime TV series Homeland.

In 2015, Nyswaner directed the documentary film She's the Best Thing in It, featuring Mary Louise Wilson, which he coproduced along with Jeffrey Schwarz and Neda Armian.[4]

Filmography

Film

As a director

Year Title Notes
1988The Prince of Pennsylvania
2012Why Stop Now?
2015She's the Best Thing in Itdocumentary

As a writer

Year Title Notes
1982Smithereens
1984Mrs. Soffel
1989Gross Anatomy
1990Love Hurts
1993Philadelphia
2003Soldier's Girl
2006The Painted Veil
2015Freeheld
2022My Policeman

Television

Year Title Notes Ref.
2006Filthy Gorgeoustelevision movie
2013-2014Ray Donovanwrote 4 episodes; also co-executive producer
2015-2018Homelandwrote 9 episodes; also co-executive producer
2020Murder on Middle Beachco-executive producer only
2023 Fellow Travelers Screenwriter and executive producer [5]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Project Result
1989Independent Spirit AwardsBest First FeatureThe Prince of PennsylvaniaNominated
1988Deauville Film FestivalCritics PrizeNominated
1993Academy AwardBest Original ScreenplayPhiladelphia Nominated
1993Golden Globe AwardsBest ScreenplayNominated
1993British Academy Film AwardBest Original ScreenplayNominated
1993Writers Guild of America AwardBest Original ScreenplayNominated
2006Independent Spirit AwardBest ScreenplayThe Painted VeilNominated
2006National Board of ReviewBest ScreenplayWon
2015SXSW Film FestivalGrand Jury Documentary PrizeShe's The Best Thing in ItNominated
2015Woodstock Film FestivalAudience AwardWon
2014Writers Guild of America AwardNew SeriesRay DonovanNominated
2016Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Drama SeriesHomelandNominated

Bibliography

In 2004, he published Blue Days, Black Nights: A Memoir, which chronicles his relationship with alcohol, drugs, and hustlers.

References

  1. ↑ The New York Times
  2. ↑ The New York Times
  3. ↑ Nyswaner, Ron (2004), Blue Days, Black Nights: A Memoir, Advocate Books, ISBN 1-55583-889-8
  4. ↑ Setoodeh, Ramin (December 18, 2015). "SXSW Doc 'She's the Best Thing in It' Sells to GoDigital (EXCLUSIVE)". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  5. ↑ Otterson, Joe (July 11, 2022). "'Bridgerton' Star Jonathan Bailey Joins Matt Bomer in Showtime Limited Series 'Fellow Travelers'". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
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