Who was Dorothy Parker? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Dorothy Rothschild

Died At Age: 73

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Alan Campbell (m. 1950–1963), Edwin Pond Parker II (m. 1917–1928)

father: Jacob Henry

mother: Eliza Annie Rothschild (née Marston)

siblings: Helen Rothschild

Born Country: United States

Poets American Women

Height: 4'11" (150 cm), 4'11" Females

Died on: June 7, 1967

place of death: Manhattan, New York, United States

Grouping of People: Jewish Writer

Ancestry: German American

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

City: Long Branch, New Jersey

U.S. State: New Jersey

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1

What writing style is Dorothy Parker known for?

Dorothy Parker is known for her sharp wit, satirical humor, and concise writing style in her poetry, short stories, and criticism.
2

What were some common themes in Dorothy Parker's works?

Common themes in Dorothy Parker's works include love, relationships, societal norms, and the human condition, often portrayed through sharp humor and irony.
3

How did Dorothy Parker's experiences influence her writing?

Dorothy Parker's personal experiences, including her struggles with love, marriage, and mental health, heavily influenced her writing, adding depth and authenticity to her works.
4

What is the legacy of Dorothy Parker in modern literature?

Dorothy Parker's legacy in modern literature includes her influence on humor, satire, and social commentary, inspiring future writers to explore similar themes with wit and insight.

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Childhood & Early Life

Dorothy Parker was born as Dorothy Rothschild on August 22, 1893, in Long Branch, New Jersey. Her parents were Jacob Henry and Eliza Annie Rothschild. Her father remarried Eleanor Frances Lewis in 1900.

Parker disliked her father and her stepmother a lot, and stated that she was abused physically. However, according to her biographer Marion Meade, this was false and she grew up in an affectionate and supportive family. She did her schooling from Miss Dana’s School. Some accounts claim that she never graduated from high school.

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Career

Dorothy Parker sold her first poem in 1914 to ‘Vanity Fair,’ and a few months later, she was hired as an editorial assistant for ‘Vogue.’ After working for two years at ‘Vogue,’ she moved to ‘Vanity Fair,’ where she worked as a staff writer.

She wrote theater criticism and became known for her wit. However, her criticisms started offending powerful producers. This led to her being dismissed. Her colleagues Robert Benchley and Robert E. Sherwood also resigned in protest.

When ‘The New Yorker’ was founded by Harold Ross in 1925, Parker and Benchley were part of a board of editors which was established by Ross to allay the concerns of his investors. Parker started contributing humorous poems, many of which highlighted her unsuccessful romantic affairs.

Over the next few years, she published collections of poems such as ‘Enough Rope’, ‘Sunset Gun’ and ‘Death and Taxes’, as well as collections of short stories like ‘Laments for the Living’, ‘After Such Pleasures’, and ‘Collected Stories’.

Her first work in cinema was as a screenwriter for the 1936 drama film ‘Suzy’. The film was directed by George Fitzmaurice. Parker’s husband Alan Campbell was a co-writer as well.

In 1937, she was one of the screenwriters for the romantic drama film ‘A Star Is Born’, which was directed by William A. Wellman. The film was a commercial and critical success. Parker was nominated in the ‘Best Screenplay’ category at the Academy Awards.

Her next work as a writer was in the film ‘Sweethearts’ in 1938. The film was a commercial success, earning around twice its budget. She then wrote the comedy murder-mystery film ‘Trade Winds’ which was also a commercial success.

In 1941, she was the screenwriter for ‘Week-End for Three’, which was directed by Irving Reis. The film was a commercial failure. The next year, she wrote the screenplay for the film ‘Saboteur’, a spy thriller directed by renowned filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. The film was a commercial success.

Parker earned her second Oscar nomination for the film ‘Smash-Up, The Story of a Woman’, which was directed by Stuart Heisler.

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In 1949, she wrote the screenplay for the drama film ‘The Fan’. Her last published work was the 1953 play ‘Ladies of the Corridor’.

Major Works

’A Star Is Born’, a 1937 romantic drama film, is among the best works of Dorothy Parker’s career. The film was directed by William A. Wellman and produced by David O Selznick. It starred actors like Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. The film was a commercial success, earning $2 million on a budget of $1.2 million. It was also nominated for seven Oscars, out of which it won one.

She wrote the screenplay for the spy thriller film ‘Saboteur’. It was directed by the renowned filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and produced by Frank Lloyd and Jack H. Skirball. The film had actors like Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane and Otto Kruger. It was a success at the box office, earning $1.25 million on a budget of $780,000.

Family & Personal Life

Dorothy Parker was first married to Edwin Pond Parker II from 1917 to 1928.

She married Alan Campbell in 1934. Their marriage was full of conflicts, mostly due to her alcohol abuse and Campbell’s affair with a woman from Europe. Though they divorced in 1947, they remarried three years later.

Though she continued writing over the years, it became erratic with time due to her alcohol abuse. She worked with Campbell on several projects which were never completed as Campbell passed away of a drug overdose in 1963.

Parker passed away in 1967, due to a heart attack. She was 73. In her will, Parker bequeathed her estate to Martin Luther King Jr.

Facts About Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker was known for her quick wit and sharp humor, often making clever and humorous remarks that showcased her intelligence and creativity.

She was a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers, critics, and actors known for their witty and engaging conversations.

Parker was a successful poet and writer, known for her satirical and thought-provoking works that often explored themes of love, loss, and the human experience.

In addition to her writing, Parker was also a civil rights activist and advocate for social justice, using her platform to speak out against discrimination and inequality.

Despite her reputation for being acerbic and sharp-tongued, those who knew her well described her as a loyal friend and compassionate individual with a generous heart.

Dorothy Parker Biography

You wanted to know

What writing style is Dorothy Parker known for?

What were some common themes in Dorothy Parker's works?

How did Dorothy Parker's experiences influence her writing?

What is the legacy of Dorothy Parker in modern literature?