Nora Ephron
USABiography of Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron, an American film director, producer, screenwriter, novelist, journalist, writer, and blogger, is best known for her romantic comedies and was thrice nominated for an Oscar for "Silkwood" in 1983, "When Harry Met Sally" in 1989, and "Sleepless in Seattle" in 1993. At times, Nora co-writes with her sister Delia Ephron.
Early Life and Education
Nora Ephron was born on May 19, 1941, in New York City, USA, and grew up in Beverly Hills as the eldest of four children in a Jewish family. Her parents, Henry and Phoebe, were screenwriters, and her sister Delia and Amy also became screenwriters, while her sister Hallie became a journalist, novelist, and author of detective novels. Ephron graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1958 and Wellesley College in 1962. She then worked as an intern at the White House during President John F. Kennedy's administration.
Thanks to her sharp satirical work seen by an editor at the New York Post, she worked as a reporter for the newspaper for five years and wrote a controversial article in 1996 about the secret wedding ceremony between Bob Dylan and Sara Lownds. As a writer, Nora gained her own column in Esquire magazine, discussing women's issues. She rose to the position of the magazine's editor, Dorothy Schiff, and earned recognition for the success of her column.
Writing and Film Career
Nora Ephron developed her skills as a writer and gained recognition for her work on the script of the film "All the President's Men," which she rewrote at the request of journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. While married to Bernstein in the mid-70s, she was asked to rewrite William Goldman's script for the film because both journalists were unsatisfied with the original screenplay. Although the revised work was not produced, it was read by influential people who offered Nora the opportunity to become a television series scriptwriter. Following in the footsteps of her sisters Delia and Amy, Ephron tried her hand at writing screenplays.
In her play "Imaginary Friends" in 2002, the writer explores the rivalry between two writers, Lillian Hellman and Mary McCarthy.
Personal Life
Nora Ephron was married three times. Her first marriage, to writer Dan Greenburg, lasted for nine years. Her second marriage, to journalist Carl Bernstein, ended during the Watergate scandal. While Nora was still married to Bernstein in the mid-70s, he and Bob Woodward asked her to rewrite the screenplay for "All the President's Men" because both journalists were unhappy with the original script for the film. The revised work was never produced, but it was read by knowledgeable people who offered Nora the opportunity to become a television series scriptwriter.
Ephron married screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi over 20 years ago, and they currently reside in New York City.
Later Career
Her final work was the screenplay and direction of the remarkable comedy biopic "Julie & Julia" in 2009, based on the true stories of two women who found fulfillment in the culinary world.
