Donald Mankiewicz was born in Berlin, Germany, to a family of creatives, with his father, Herman Mankiewicz, being a renowned screenwriter and his uncle, Joseph Mankiewicz, a celebrated film director. His brother, Frank, would also go on to distinguish himself as a journalist. Growing up in the glamorous surroundings of Beverly Hills, where his parents' dinner parties often featured the biggest screen stars of the 1930s, Mankiewicz graduated from Columbia University in 1942 and later served in Army Intelligence.
Following his military service, Mankiewicz began his writing career as a staff writer for the prestigious New Yorker magazine. In the early 1950s, he transitioned to television, adapting classic novels such as Scott Fitzgerald's "The Last Tycoon" for the small screen. Interestingly, Mankiewicz had a personal connection to Fitzgerald, having known the author as a friend of his father's.
Mankiewicz's television work spanned multiple series, including "Marcus Welby, MD," "Ironside," and "Star Trek." He was also a key figure in the writers' union, playing a crucial role in gaining recognition for quiz show writers. In 1958, he received an Oscar nomination for his work on the film "I Want to Live," which starred Susan Hayward as convicted murderess Barbara Graham.
Mankiewicz was married to Carol for 43 years and had four children, including son John, a screenwriter, and daughter Jane, an author. He passed away on April 25, 2015, at the age of 93, due to heart failure, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile writer who made significant contributions to the world of television and film.
