Dorothy Parker (August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) was an American poet, short story writer, critic and satirist, best known for her wit, wisecracks, and eye for 20th century urban foibles.
From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.
Read more about Dorothy Parker: Early Life, Algonquin Round Table Years, Hollywood, Later Life, Posthumous Honors, Pastiches, Fictional Portrayals and In Popular Culture
Famous quotes by dorothy parker:
“Sorrow is tranquility remembered in emotion.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)
“That woman speaks eighteen languages and can’t say No in any of them.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)
“As artists they’re rot, but as providers they’re oil wells; they gush. Norris said she never wrote a story unless it was fun to do. I understand Ferber whistles at her typewriter. And there was that poor sucker Flaubert rolling around on his floor for three days looking for the right word.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)
“Men seldom make passes
At girls who wear glasses.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)
“Sam Goldwyn said, ‘How’m I gonna do decent pictures when all my good writers are in jail?’ Then he added, the infallible Goldwyn, ‘Don’t misunderstand me, they all ought to be hung.’ Mr. Goldwyn didn’t know about ‘hanged.’ That’s all there is to say.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)