Personal info
Known for
Writer
Gender
Male
Birthday
04 April
Location
England, United Kingdom
Edit pageJez Butterworth
Biography
Jez Butterworth is a British playwright, screenwriter, and director, widely recognized for his work in theatre and film. Born in 1969 in London, England, Butterworth developed an early interest in storytelling and drama, eventually establishing himself as one of the most acclaimed contemporary playwrights in the United Kingdom.
Butterworth gained prominence with his stage play Mojo (1995), a darkly comic thriller set in the London club scene, which won critical acclaim for its sharp dialogue and complex characters. He further solidified his reputation with works such as The Night Heron (2002) and Jerusalem (2009), the latter becoming a landmark production in British theatre. Jerusalem, starring Mark Rylance, was widely praised for its poetic language, political undertones, and rich character work, earning multiple awards and cementing Butterworth’s status as a leading figure in modern theatre.
In addition to theatre, Butterworth has made significant contributions to film. He co-wrote screenplays for high-profile projects including Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and Spectre (2015), demonstrating his ability to translate complex narratives into large-scale cinematic storytelling. His screenwriting often balances character-driven drama with genre conventions, showcasing versatility across mediums.
