Who Is David Mamet?

David Mamet is an Oscar-nominated, Pulitzer prize winning writer and director.  Born in Chicago, Illinois in November 1947,  He attended Goddard College (which he calls 'sex camp), a liberal arts college in Vermont.  During his study at Goddard, he took a sabbatical to train at the Neighborhood Playhouse with one of the Method Acting gurus Sanford Meisner.  

Whilst Mamet was not particularly successful as an actor (he didn't make it into the second year of the programme), Mamet decided to train himself in those areas he felt that he was unschooled.  Mamet returned to Goddard as a member of staff and there met, taught and became lifetime friends with actor William H Macy.  Whilst at Goddard, Mamet began writing plays for his students to work on.  With William H Macy, Mamet set up The St. Nicholas Players and his plays became increasingly well known and plays such as Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo, Squirrels, Sexual Perversity in Chicago have earned him world-renown.  Amongst his film work includes writing The Untouchables, The Edge, Spartan, State and Main and Heist.  Most recently, Mamet has collaborated with Shawn Ryan, creator of The Shield; to produce a hugely successful television show called The Unit.