David Mamet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. David Alan Mamet (born November 30, 1947) is an American playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director. Best known as a playwright, Mamet has won a Pulitzer Prize, and Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nominations for The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997). Mamet's books include The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary, with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; and Bambi vs. Godzilla, a commentary on the movie business. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Mamet, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Works

The Prince

Chronicles recovering addict's journey through drug underworld, struggles with addiction, intense highs, and lows, and eventual path to sobriety.

Release Date:2025-05-10

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

The Penitent - A Rational Man

A psychiatrist, Charles, has his career and life become derailed after he refuses to testify on behalf of a former patient who had become clinically violent and unstable, resulting in the deaths of multiple people following a tragic breakdown of his mental complications. The patient then claims that Charles will not testify in court or to the police because the patient is openly part of the LGBT community. Further, the patient claims that Charles has recently gone through a religious conversion in his own personal identity which has resulted in a fully prejudiced reassessment of the gay community as a whole. Charles claims that the basis of these accusations are false and due to a misunderstanding. The resulting recriminations put Charles's entire career at risk and threaten to end his practice permanently.

Release Date:2023-09-04

Department:Writing

Job:Theatre Play

Vote Count:7

Beau Is Afraid

Following the sudden death of his mother, a mild-mannered but anxiety-ridden man confronts his darkest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque odyssey back home.

Release Date:2023-04-14

Character:Rabbi

Vote Count:1069

Just a Scene

A couple discusses their first night and relationship.

Release Date:2022-09-30

Department:Writing

Job:Original Story

About Last Night

Bernie and Joan are two fiery flirters who are passionate about everything from hookups to breakups and each other. When he sets up his best friend, Danny, with her roommate, Debbie, the sparks soon fly as they try to navigate the relationship minefields from the bar to the bedroom and are eventually put to the test in the real world.

Release Date:2014-02-14

Department:Writing

Job:Theatre Play

Vote Count:506

Phil Spector

A drama centered on the relationship between Phil Spector and defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden while the music business legend was on trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.

Release Date:2013-06-14

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:131

Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay

The life and career of renowned magician and sleight of hand artist Ricky Jay.

Release Date:2012-10-04

Character:Himself

Vote Count:33

Glengarry Glen Ross

This Iranian adaptation of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross is set in early 1980s Chicago, where the ruthless world of real estate sales takes center stage. Mitch and Murray, the managers of a real estate office, create a cutthroat competition among their salesmen to boost performance, promising a lucrative reward to the top seller. The story explores the intense pressure, moral compromises, and desperation faced by the salesmen as they vie for success, highlighting themes of ambition, greed, and survival in a high-stakes environment.

Release Date:2011-05-01

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Two Painters

A bad interview.

Release Date:2010-11-01

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:1

The Marquee

A marquee runs out of letters, leaving a humorous blank.

Release Date:2010-09-15

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Our Valley

A wind machine causes problems on set.

Release Date:2010-09-15

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:1

Inside the Actor's Workshop

An on-set interview is quietly absurd.

Release Date:2010-09-15

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:2

Lost Masterpieces of Pornography

This lost masterpiece of pornography was recently discovered in a woodworking shop of a Beverly Hills dentist. June Crenshaw (Kristen Bell) was known as the 'sex kitten' of the Supreme Court.

Release Date:2010-06-02

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:13

Redbelt

Is there room for principle in Los Angeles? Mike Terry teaches jujitsu and barely makes ends meet. His Brazilian wife, whose family promotes fights, wants to see Mike in the ring making money, but to him competition is degrading. A woman sideswipes Mike's car and then, after an odd sequence of events, shoots out the studio's window. Later that evening, Mike rescues an action movie star in a fistfight at a bar. In return, the actor befriends Mike, gives him a gift, offers him work on his newest film, and introduces Mike's wife to his own - the women initiate business dealings. Then, things go sour all at once, Mike's debts mount, and going into the ring may be his only option.

Release Date:2008-04-07

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:267

David Mamet on House of Games

A documentary filmed on location and behind the scenes during the making of David Mamet's 1987 film HOUSE OF GAMES

Release Date:2007-08-21

Character:Himself

The Unit

A covert team of special forces operatives risk their lives on undercover missions around the globe, while their wives maintain the homefront, protecting their husbands' secrets.

Release Date:2006-03-07

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:11

Vote Count:192

Edmond

Seemingly mild-mannered businessman Edmond Burke visits a fortuneteller and hears a remark that spurs him to leave his wife abruptly and seek what is missing from his life. Encounters with strangers and unsavory people weaken the barriers encompassing his long-suppressed rage, until Edmond explodes in violence.

Release Date:2005-08-31

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:190

Spartan

U.S. government agent Scott is assigned to rescue the daughter of a high-ranking government official. As willing as he is to bend the rules to get things done, though, Scott is shocked to find that others are willing to go even further to protect a political career.

Release Date:2004-03-12

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:380

Real Time with Bill Maher

Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

Release Date:2003-02-21

Character:Self

Episode Count:3

Vote Count:209

The Shield

The story of an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct where some of the cops aren't above breaking the rules or working against their associates to both keep the streets safe and their self-interests intact.

Release Date:2002-03-12

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Episode Count:1

Vote Count:753

Heist

Joe Moore has a job he loves. He's a thief. His job goes sour when he gets caught on security camera tape. His fence, Bergman, reneges on the money he's owed, and his wife may be betraying him with the fence's young lieutenant. Moore and his partner, Bobby Blane, and their utility man, Pinky Pincus, find themselves broke, betrayed, and blackmailed. Moore is forced to commit his crew to do one last big job.

Release Date:2001-11-09

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:550

Catastrophe

An autocratic Director (Harold Pinter) and his Assistant (Rebecca Pidgeon) put the final touches to the last scene of some kind of dramatic presentation, which consists entirely of a man (John Gielgud) standing still onstage.

Release Date:2001-09-01

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:9

Hannibal

After having successfully eluded the authorities for years, Hannibal peacefully lives in Italy in disguise as an art scholar. Trouble strikes again when he's discovered leaving a deserving few dead in the process. He returns to America to make contact with now disgraced Agent Clarice Starling, who is suffering the wrath of a malicious FBI rival as well as the media.

Release Date:2001-02-08

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:4786

State and Main

A movie crew invades a small town whose residents are all too ready to give up their values for showbiz glitz.

Release Date:2000-08-26

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:243

Lakeboat

A college student befriends various crew members while working a summer internship at sea.

Release Date:2000-04-13

Department:Writing

Job:Theatre Play

Vote Count:10

The Winslow Boy

Early 20th century England: while toasting his daughter Catherine's engagement, Arthur Winslow learns the royal naval academy expelled his 14-year-old son, Ronnie, for stealing five shillings. Father asks son if it is true; when the lad denies it, Arthur risks fortune, health, domestic peace, and Catherine's prospects to pursue justice.

Release Date:1999-03-18

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:72

Lansky

Organized crime boss Meyer Lansky remembers his life as he is moving about the world looking for some country that will take him in since the USA have put out an extradition order for him.

Release Date:1999-02-27

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:24

Ronin

A briefcase with undisclosed contents – sought by Irish terrorists and the Russian mob – makes its way into criminals' hands. An Irish liaison assembles a squad of mercenaries, or 'ronin', and gives them the thorny task of recovering the case.

Release Date:1998-09-25

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:2404

Wag the Dog

During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.

Release Date:1997-12-25

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:952

The Spanish Prisoner

An inventor of a secret process suddenly finds himself alone as both his friends and the corporation he works for turn against him.

Release Date:1997-12-03

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:282

The Edge

The plane carrying wealthy Charles Morse crashes down in the Alaskan wilderness. Together with the two other passengers, photographer Robert and assistant Stephen, Charles devises a plan to help them reach civilization. However, his biggest obstacle might not be the elements, or even the Kodiak bear stalking them -- it could be Robert, whom Charles suspects is having an affair with his wife and would not mind seeing him dead.

Release Date:1997-09-06

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:1183

Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants

Sleight of hand magician Ricky Jay blends light comedy and close-up magic to entertain a live audience. He discusses everything from the birth of the classic cup and balls trick to 14th century poetry.

Release Date:1996-12-17

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:7

Hustlers, Hoaxsters, Pranksters, Jokesters and Ricky Jay

A documentary about the life and work of sleight-of-hand artist Ricky Jay, with appearances by Ricky Jay, David Mamet and Steve Martin.

Release Date:1996-11-18

Vote Count:1

American Buffalo

Three inner-city losers plan a robbery of a valuable coin in a seedy second-hand junk shop.

Release Date:1996-09-13

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:61

Oleanna

Carol, a college student, comes to John's office, her professor, to discuss the grade she has received for one of her papers.

Release Date:1994-11-04

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:52

Vanya on 42nd Street

An uninterrupted rehearsal of Chekhov's 1899 play "Uncle Vanya" played out by a company of actors. The setting is their run down theater with an unusable stage and crumbling ceiling. The play is shown act by act with the briefest of breaks to move props or for refreshments. The lack of costumes, real props and scenery is soon forgotten.

Release Date:1994-10-19

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:79

Texan

A retired pilot finds out his young wife is lying to him, hiding a meeting with a military man, withdrawing money from the bank...

Release Date:1994-10-02

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

A Life in the Theatre

A veteran actor and a young up-and-comer join for a season of reparatory theatre.

Release Date:1993-10-09

Department:Writing

Job:Theatre Play

Vote Count:4

Hoffa

A portrait of union leader James R. Hoffa, as seen through the eyes of his friend, Bobby Ciaro. The film follows Hoffa through his countless battles with the RTA and President Roosevelt.

Release Date:1992-12-25

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:316

Glengarry Glen Ross

When an office full of real estate salesmen is given the news that all but the top two will be fired at the end of the week, the atmosphere begins to heat up. Shelley Levene, who has a sick daughter, does everything in his power to get better leads from his boss, John Williamson, but to no avail. When his coworker Dave Moss comes up with a plan to steal the leads, things get complicated for the tough-talking salesmen.

Release Date:1992-09-10

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:1409

The Water Engine

In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the competition. Now he has to try and keep them from getting his idea, and somehow get it published.

Release Date:1992-08-24

Department:Writing

Job:Theatre Play

Character:Brown Haired Man

Vote Count:3

Uncle Vanya

Vanya is a bitter, sarcastic man, obsessed with his wasted years and what might have been. He has spent his life toiling for the benefit of the scholar, Serabryakov, who has turned out to be a charlatan. To make matters worse, Vanya has fallen in love with Serabryakov's beautiful, young, new wife, who does not return his ardor.

Release Date:1991-10-12

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Homicide

A Jewish homicide detective investigates a seemingly minor murder and falls in with a Zionist group as a result.

Release Date:1991-05-28

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:137

The Yiddish Cinema

Narrated by prolific writer and director David Mamet, this film is a perfect introduction to Yiddish cinema. The Yiddish Cinema traces the history of the genre through interviews, archival photographs, and film clips of many of The National Center for Jewish Film's Yiddish feature films.

Release Date:1991-01-01

Character:Narrator

Vote Count:1

Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret

A leading acting teacher who trained some of the most famous performers of the stage and screen, Sanford Meisner was a founding member of the Group Theatre. The Group Theatre, a cooperative theater ensemble, became a leading force in the theater world of the 30s. Meisner performed in many of the group’s most memorable productions.

Release Date:1990-08-27

Character:Self

The Simpsons

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.

Release Date:1989-12-17

Character:David Mamet (voice)

Episode Count:1

Vote Count:10059

We're No Angels

Two escaped cons' only prayer to escape is to pass themselves off as priests and pass by the police blockade at the border into the safety of Canada.

Release Date:1989-06-02

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:504

The Shawl

Miss A, troubled by problems, consults a clairvoyant. Can he solve them for her by summoning the spirits? Or is he just a fraud, out to steal her money?

Release Date:1989-03-14

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Things Change

Jerry, a misfit Mafia henchman, is assigned the low-level job of keeping an eye on Gino, a shoe repairman fingered by the Mob to confess to a murder he didn't commit. But Gino's mistaken for a Mafia boss, and the two are suddenly catapulted to the highest levels of mobster status. Only friendship will see them through this dangerous adventure alive!

Release Date:1988-10-21

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:71

Lip Service

A young news reporter schemes to take over the job of a veteran news anchor whose ratings he's been hired to promote.

Release Date:1988-10-17

Department:Production

Job:Executive Producer

Vote Count:1

The Play on One

A series of plays specially written for television.

Release Date:1988-01-19

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:1

Vote Count:3

House of Games

A psychiatrist comes to the aid of a compulsive gambler and is led by a smooth-talking grifter into the shadowy but compelling world of stings, scams, and con men.

Release Date:1987-10-11

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:309

The Untouchables

Elliot Ness, an ambitious prohibition agent, is determined to take down Al Capone. In order to achieve this goal, he forms a group given the nickname “The Untouchables”.

Release Date:1987-06-03

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:5705

Black Widow

Federal agent Alexandra Barnes believes that Catherine Petersen is a serial killer who marries rich men and then murders them for their money. But since Catherine is seemingly a master of disguise and has multiple identities, Alexandra can't prove anything with conventional detective work. With no other option, she goes undercover, pursuing the same man as Catherine, and hoping that Catherine will slip up and reveal her true identity.

Release Date:1987-02-06

Character:Herb

Vote Count:198

About Last Night...

A man and woman meet and try to have a romantic affair, despite their personal problems and the interference of their disapproving friends.

Release Date:1986-07-02

Department:Writing

Job:Theatre Play

Vote Count:219

The Verdict

Frank Galvin is a down-on-his-luck lawyer and reduced to drinking and ambulance chasing, when a former associate reminds him of his obligations in a medical malpractice suit by serving it to Galvin on a silver platter—all parties are willing to settle out of court. Blundering his way through the preliminaries, Galvin suddenly realizes that the case should actually go to court—to punish the guilty, to get a decent settlement for his clients... and to restore his standing as a lawyer.

Release Date:1982-12-08

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:651

The Postman Always Rings Twice

The sensuous wife of a lunch wagon proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordidly steamy affair and conspire to murder her Greek husband.

Release Date:1981-03-20

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:501

Assassination

A new take on the JFK conspiracy, centering around Dorothy Kilgallen, one of the most famous voices in media at the time. When Dorothy suspects that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone, she uses her fame and influence to find the real killer of JFK.

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Henry Johnson

A lawyer who is behind bars for his illegal activities. It’s being described as a “tense prison drama” about a “convict hoping for redemption.”

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Hill Street Blues

A realistic glimpse into the daily lives of the officers and detectives at an urban police station.

Release Date:1981-01-15

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:1

Vote Count:107