Who Is Neil Simon? Age, Biography and Wiki
Neil Simon was born on July 4, 1927, and passed away on August 26, 2018. He made a significant impact on American theater and literature, celebrated for his numerous acclaimed plays, screenplays, and contributions to comedic storytelling. As of 2025, he would have been 97 years old had he been alive. Simon started his career in the 1950s and became renowned for works such as Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, and Brighton Beach Memoirs.
| Occupation | Film Producer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 4, 1927 |
| Age | 91 Years |
| Birth Place | The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 26 August, 2018 |
| Died Place | Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Neil Simon's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific body measurements of Neil Simon were not widely documented during his lifetime, he was typically described as of average height and build. His focus was always more on his artistic work rather than physical appearance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Neil Simon was married three times throughout his life:
- Joan Baim (1953–1973) - No children
- Marsha Mason (1973–1982) - No children
- Elaine Joyce (1999–2018) - No children
Simon grew up in New York City during the Great Depression. His parents' financial difficulties affected their marriage, giving him a mostly unhappy and unstable childhood. He often took refuge in movie theaters, where he enjoyed watching early comedians like Charlie Chaplin.
After graduating from high school and serving a few years in the Army Air Force Reserve, he began writing comedy scripts for radio programs and popular early television shows.
Among the latter were Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows (where in 1950 he worked alongside other young writers including Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart and Selma Diamond), and The Phil Silvers Show, which ran from 1955 to 1959.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Neil Simon's estimated net worth was around $50 million. His wealth primarily stemmed from his successful plays, screen adaptations, and royalties that continue to generate income even posthumously. Simon's hit Broadway productions solidified him as one of the wealthiest playwrights in American history.
He was able to do that at the movies, in the work of stars like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Laurel and Hardy.
"I was constantly being dragged out of movies for laughing too loud." Simon acknowledged these childhood films as his inspiration: "I wanted to make a whole audience fall onto the floor, writhing and laughing so hard that some of them pass out." He made writing comedy his long-term goal, and also saw it as a way to connect with people.
"I was never going to be an athlete or a doctor." He began writing for pay while still in high school: At the age of fifteen, Simon and his brother created a series of comedy sketches for employees at an annual department store event.
To help develop his writing skill, he often spent three days a week at the library reading books by famous humorists such as Mark Twain, Robert Benchley, George S. Kaufman and S. J. Perelman.
Career, Business and Investments
Neil Simon's career spanned over six decades, during which he wrote more than 30 plays and numerous screenplays. His works often reflected the human experience, filled with humor and heartache. Some of his most notable plays include:
- The Odd Couple
- Brighton Beach Memoirs
- Biloxi Blues
- Lost in Yonkers
Simon quit his job as a mailroom clerk in the Warner Brothers offices in Manhattan to write radio and television scripts with his brother Danny Simon, under the tutelage of radio humorist Goodman Ace, who ran a short-lived writing workshop for CBS. Their work for the radio series The Robert Q. Lewis Show led to other writing jobs.
Max Liebman hired the duo for the writing team of his popular television comedy series Your Show of Shows. The program received Emmy Award nominations for Best Variety Show in 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1954, and won in 1952 and 1953. Simon later wrote scripts for The Phil Silvers Show, for episodes broadcast during 1958 and 1959.
Social Network
While Neil Simon did not engage with social media during his lifetime, he is often discussed and celebrated on various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by fans and theater enthusiasts honoring his contributions to the arts.
"I always feel more like a writer when I'm writing a play, because of the tradition of the theater ... there is no tradition of the screenwriter, unless he is also the director, which makes him an auteur. So I really feel that I'm writing for posterity with plays, which have been around since the Greek times."
Education
Neil Simon attended the University of New Mexico, where he honed his abilities as a writer. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to his education, which laid the foundation for his successful career in theater.
Soon after graduating from high school, he signed up with the Army Air Force Reserve at New York University. He attained the rank of corporal and was eventually sent to Colorado. During those years in the Reserve, Simon wrote professionally, starting as a sports editor. He was assigned to Lowry Air Force Base during 1945 and attended the University of Denver from 1945 to 1946.
