Stoppard, Tom

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Stoppard, Tom (1937– ) English dramatist, b. Thomas Straussler. His reputation was established with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1966). Plays such as The Real Inspector Hound (1968) and Jumpers (1972) confirmed his ability to combine philosophical speculation with humour. Stoppard wrote plays for radio (Artist Descending a Staircase, 1973) and television (Professional Foul, 1977). Other plays include Arcadia (1993) and The Invention of Love (1997). Stoppard won an Academy Award for best screenplay for Shakespeare in Love (1998).

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