Ernest Tidyman, a highly acclaimed and accomplished American author and screenwriter, entered the world on January 1, 1928, in the vibrant city of Cleveland. Throughout his illustrious career, he has left an indelible mark on the literary and cinematic worlds, earning widespread recognition for his captivating novels that have been immortalized on the big screen.
Noted screenwriter Tidyman's remarkable career trajectory was characterized by an astonishing array of projects, encompassing the screenplay for the widely acclaimed film, The French Connection, which garnered a plethora of esteemed accolades, including the most coveted and prestigious award in the film industry, the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as a Golden Globe Award, a Writers Guild of America Award, and an Edgar Award, further solidifying his reputation as a master of his craft.
Notably, Tidyman's creative endeavors extended beyond his notable contribution to the iconic film The French Connection, as he also lent his talents to crafting the screenplay for the 1973 cinematic masterpiece High Plains Drifter, a project that boasted the impressive credentials of being directed by and starring the legendary Clint Eastwood.
Furthermore, Tidyman's impressive resume also includes the screenplay for the 1972 film Shaft's Big Score, a sequel to the original Shaft film that premiered in theaters to great fanfare, solidifying his reputation as a skilled and versatile screenwriter.
Tidyman's literary pursuits transcended the boundaries of fiction, as he ventured into the realm of non-fiction, publishing the captivating account "Dummy" in 1974, a true crime narrative that revolved around the intriguing story of an accused deaf-mute murderer, whose trial and subsequent conviction garnered significant attention, ultimately resulting in a nomination for an Edgar Award in the prestigious Fact Crime category, a testament to the author's skill in crafting a gripping and thought-provoking account that continues to fascinate readers to this day.
Biography:
William P. Tidyman was an American author, best known for his work in the crime fiction genre. Born in 1927, Tidyman grew up in a family of modest means, and his early life was marked by hardship and struggle. Despite these challenges, he developed a passion for writing at a young age, and went on to study literature at college.
After graduating, Tidyman worked as a journalist and screenwriter, before turning his attention to novel writing. His breakthrough came with the publication of "Cotton Comes to Harlem" in 1965, a crime novel that combined elements of mystery, comedy, and social commentary.
Tidyman's subsequent novels, including "And Lay Them Straight" and "Getting Straight", solidified his reputation as a master of the crime fiction genre, and he went on to publish several more novels throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition to his work in fiction, Tidyman also published a non-fiction account, "Dummy", in 1974, which explored the true story of an accused deaf-mute murderer. The book was nominated for an Edgar Award in the Fact Crime category, a testament to Tidyman's skill as a writer and researcher.
Throughout his career, Tidyman was known for his unique blend of humor, wit, and social commentary, and his work continues to be celebrated by fans of crime fiction and beyond.
In the late 1970s, a notable collaboration took place between renowned screenwriter Ernest Tidyman and the iconic martial artist Chuck Norris, resulting in the film A Force of One, which marked one of Norris's earlier forays into the world of cinema. Despite never quite replicating the immense success he had previously achieved with the likes of The French Connection and the Shaft series, Tidyman did experience a notable resurgence in 1980 with his teleplay for the television movie Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones, a project that earned him a prestigious Emmy nomination, solidifying his reputation as a masterful storyteller.
Noted author and screenwriter Tidyman's personal life was characterized by a series of significant relationships and family milestones. His first marriage, to Susan Gould, resulted in the birth of two children, Adam and Nicholas, who would go on to navigate their own paths in life. Tidyman's subsequent marriage to Chris Clark, a former Motown soul singer, was a notable development, as Clark would later co-write the screenplay for the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues. Unfortunately, Tidyman's life was cut short when he passed away on July 14, 1984, at the age of 56, due to complications arising from a perforated ulcer. Despite his untimely passing, Tidyman's remarkable body of work continues to be celebrated, serving as a testament to his immense talent and unwavering dedication to his craft.
