Jeffrey Hatcher

Biography

Jeffrey Hatcher is an American playwright, screenwriter, and author known for his work in theatre, film, and television. Born in Steubenville, Ohio, he graduated from Denison University in 1980 with a degree in Theatre and Cinema. He later attended New York University's Graduate Acting Program before moving away from acting to focus on writing. His early experiences in theatre helped him develop a strong interest in storytelling, character development, and dramatic adaptations.

Hatcher gained recognition for writing the stage play Compleat Female Stage Beauty, which he later adapted into the 2004 film Stage Beauty, directed by Richard Eyre. The film marked an important step in his screenwriting career. He subsequently wrote screenplays for several notable films, including Casanova (2005), The Duchess (2008), Mr. Holmes (2015), and The Good Liar (2019).

His theatre career includes numerous original plays and adaptations performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and at theatres across the United States and internationally. Some of his notable works include Three Viewings, Scotland Road, A Picasso, Mrs. Mannerly, Murderers, Ten Chimneys, and Mercy of a Storm. He also co-wrote the stage adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie with author Mitch Albom and wrote the book for the Broadway musical Never Gonna Dance.

In television, Hatcher has contributed scripts to the mystery series Columbo and the crime drama The Mentalist. He has also worked on television projects for E! Entertainment Television. In addition to his screenwriting and playwriting career, he authored The Art and Craft of Playwriting, sharing his knowledge and experience of dramatic writing with aspiring writers.

Throughout his career, Hatcher has received several awards, fellowships, and grants, including the 2013 Ivey Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rosenthal New Play Prize, the Frankel Award, and the Barrymore Award for Best New Play. He has also received recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts and the McKnight Foundation. His contributions have established him as a respected figure in American theatre and screenwriting.