John Patrick Shanley was born on 3 October 1950 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and director, known for Moonstruck (1987), Doubt (2008) and Congo (1995).
His play "Doubt" has won several awards for outstanding dramatic play
including: the 2005 Pulitzer Prize, the 2004-2005 Drama Desk Award and
the 2005 Tony Award. The play is about a molestation charge in a
Catholic school.
[Referring to Hollywood] "Money is like heroin, and I grew up in a
neighborhood that was destroyed by heroin. I've watched addiction all
my life. Celebrity is like heroin. And constant praise is like heroin.
And, you know, no one can resist constant praise. I had to get out."
