Dorothy Parker
Birthday:
August 22, 1893 in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
Birth Name:
Dorothy Rothschild
Height:
150 cm
Dorothy Rothschild was born on August 22, 1893 into a family of comfortable financial means. Raised by her father and Stepmother after her mother's death, she was given an excellent education for the times. Highly intelligent, she pursued a career after her formal education and proved herself to be one of the early feminists. She started writi...
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Dorothy Rothschild was born on August 22, 1893 into a family of comfortable financial means. Raised by her father and Stepmother after her mother's death, she was given an excellent education for the times. Highly intelligent, she pursued a career after her formal education and proved herself to be one of the early feminists. She started writing poems early and her witty remarks are still alive today. In 1917 she was asked to join the staff at Vanity Fair magazine and to marry Edward Pond Parker II, both of which she agreed to gladly. Eddie Parker soon was stationed overseas and Dorothy became one of the founding members of the Algonquin Hotel "Round Table". Eddie arrived back from the war with an unfortunate drinking problem, and Dorothy decided she loved her new life more than she did him. They were separated far more than together and divorced in 1928. She spent a very dramatic period of time in New York City, doing theater reviews, spending time with her Algonquin friends, drinking far too much. She published poems and short stories and in 1929 won the national O. Henry Prize for the short story "Big Blonde". This established her as a serious writer. She married Alan Campbell when she was forty and he was twenty-nine. He encouraged her to go Hollywood where they became a very successful screenwriting team. Beginning in 1933 they received screen credits for fifteen films, most notably Une étoile est née (1937) which was nominated for an Academy Award. The time spent in Hollywood were the most lucrative years of her career, yet she spent every dime of it. She divorced and remarried Alan Campbell and in 1963 he died. She spent her last years in New York City, in very poor health due to heavy drinking and making do on very little money. Often, she would have to call on friends like Lillian Hellman to help her financially. Dorothy Parker died in 1967 at seventy-three years old in her New York hotel room, all alone. Time magazine devoted an entire page to her obituary, which was considered an amazing tribute. Her estate was left in full to Martin Luther King and the NAACP. Show less «
Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.
Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.
Once in her long-running feud with Clare Boothe Luce, Mrs. Luce held the door open for Mrs. Parker to walk through and said, "Age before bea...Show more »
Once in her long-running feud with Clare Boothe Luce, Mrs. Luce held the door open for Mrs. Parker to walk through and said, "Age before beauty." Mrs. Parker walked through and said, "Pearls before swine." Another time, when told that Mrs. Luce was kind to her inferiors, she said, "And where does she find them?" Show less «
If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end-to-end, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end-to-end, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
Reviewing Katharine Hepburn on Broadway: "She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B."
Reviewing Katharine Hepburn on Broadway: "She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B."
The only '-ism' Hollywood believes in is plagiarism.
The only '-ism' Hollywood believes in is plagiarism.
After George Oppenheimer and Ruth Gordon each wrote plays with characters based on Mrs. Parker in them, she wrote, "I wanted to write my aut...Show more »
After George Oppenheimer and Ruth Gordon each wrote plays with characters based on Mrs. Parker in them, she wrote, "I wanted to write my autobiography, but now I'm afraid to. George Oppenheimer and Ruth Gordon would sue me for plagiarism." Show less «
Time wounds all heels.
Time wounds all heels.
I'd like to have money. And I'd like to be a good writer. These two can come together, and I hope they will, but if that's too adorable, I'd...Show more »
I'd like to have money. And I'd like to be a good writer. These two can come together, and I hope they will, but if that's too adorable, I'd rather have money. Show less «
Sorrow is tranquility remembered in emotion.
Sorrow is tranquility remembered in emotion.
(In 1955) "Hollywood money isn't money. It's congealed snow, melts in your hand, and there you are."
(In 1955) "Hollywood money isn't money. It's congealed snow, melts in your hand, and there you are."
The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.
The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.
One more drink and I'll be under the the table, two more drinks and I'll be under the host.
One more drink and I'll be under the the table, two more drinks and I'll be under the host.
Brevity is the soul of lingerie.
Brevity is the soul of lingerie.
Scratch an actor - and you'll find an actress.
Scratch an actor - and you'll find an actress.
Upon being told that former US President Calvin Coolidge (known as "Silent Cal" for being very tight-lipped) had died, she quipped, "How can...Show more »
Upon being told that former US President Calvin Coolidge (known as "Silent Cal" for being very tight-lipped) had died, she quipped, "How can they tell?" Show less «
He and I had an office so tiny that an inch smaller and it would have been adultery.
He and I had an office so tiny that an inch smaller and it would have been adultery.
Excuse me, I have to use the toilet. Actually, I have to use the telephone, but I'm too embarrassed to say so.
Excuse me, I have to use the toilet. Actually, I have to use the telephone, but I'm too embarrassed to say so.
Hollywood money isn't money. It's congealed snow.
Hollywood money isn't money. It's congealed snow.
[on Basil Rathbone] Two profiles pasted together.
[on Basil Rathbone] Two profiles pasted together.
People ought to be one of two things, young or dead.
People ought to be one of two things, young or dead.
On truth: Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.
On truth: Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.
[on children] The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires.
[on children] The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires.
[on actress Marion Davies] She has two expressions: joy and indigestion.
[on actress Marion Davies] She has two expressions: joy and indigestion.
[on actress Dame Edith Evans] To me, Edith looks like something that would eat its young.
[on actress Dame Edith Evans] To me, Edith looks like something that would eat its young.
I like to have a martini/Two at the very most/After three I'm under the table/After four I'm under my host.
I like to have a martini/Two at the very most/After three I'm under the table/After four I'm under my host.
Of course I talk to myself. I like a good speaker, and I appreciate an intelligent audience.
Of course I talk to myself. I like a good speaker, and I appreciate an intelligent audience.
The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.
The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.
