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{{Short description|American writer}}
{{Short description|American writer (1947–2021)}}
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{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
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{{Infobox person
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{{more citations needed|biography|date=April 2021}}
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{{infobox person
| name = Anne Beatts
| name = Anne Beatts
| image = Anne Beatts visits Vancouver Film School Writing for Film & Television.jpg
| image = Anne Beatts visits Vancouver Film School Writing for Film & Television.jpg
| caption = Beatts at [[Vancouver Film School]] in 2010
| caption = Beatts in 2010
| alt = Anne Beatts is facing right, holding a microphone. She has gray hair. She is wearing a scarf and a brown jacket. She has a serious expression.
| alt = Anne Beatts is facing right, holding a microphone. She has gray hair. She is wearing a scarf and a brown jacket. She has a serious expression.
| birth_date = {{birth_date|1947|02|25}}
| birth_date = {{birth_date|1947|02|25}}
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| occupation = Comedy writer
| occupation = Comedy writer
}}
}}
'''Anne Beatts''' (February 25, 1947 – April 7, 2021) was an American [[comedy]] writer.
'''Anne Beatts''' (February 25, 1947 – April 7, 2021) was an American comedy writer.


== Early life==
== Early life==
Beatts was born in [[Buffalo, New York]], the daughter of Sheila Elizabeth Jean (Sherriff-Scott) and Patrick Murray Threipland Beatts.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Marquis Who's Who Inc|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGwqNgH95nMC&q=Patrick+Murray+Threipland+and+Sheila+Elizabeth+Jean+(Sherriff+Scott)%E2%80%8B|title=Who's Who of American Women 2004-2005|publisher=Marquis Whos Who|year=2004|isbn=978-0-8379-0430-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 27, 1960 · 37|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/421003577/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on October 25, 1980 · 87|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/421737951/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref> She has described her parents as "[[beatniks]]."<ref name="bio">[http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=85 The Paley Center for Media | She Made It | Anne Beatts<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227194613/http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=85 |date=February 27, 2007 }}</ref> Beatts had what has been called an "aggressive, dark sensibility."<ref name="bio"/> Growing up in [[Somers, New York]], she later attended [[McGill University]].<ref name="bio"/>
Beatts was born in [[Buffalo, New York]], to Sheila Elizabeth Jean (Sherriff-Scott) and Patrick Murray Threipland Beatts.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Marquis Who's Who Inc|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGwqNgH95nMC&q=Patrick+Murray+Threipland+and+Sheila+Elizabeth+Jean+(Sherriff+Scott)%E2%80%8B|title=Who's Who of American Women 2004-2005|publisher=Marquis Whos Who|year=2004|isbn=978-0-8379-0430-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 27, 1960 · 37|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/421003577/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Newspapers.com|date=27 May 1960 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on October 25, 1980 · 87|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/421737951/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Newspapers.com|date=25 October 1980 |language=en}}</ref> She has described her parents as "[[beatniks]]."<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=85|website=She Made It - The Paley Center for Media|title=Anne Beatts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227194613/http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=85|archive-date=February 27, 2007}}</ref> Beatts had what has been called an "aggressive, dark sensibility."<ref name="bio"/> Growing up in [[Somers, New York]], she later attended [[McGill University]].<ref name="bio"/>


It was at McGill University where Beatts discovered the [[dark humor]] of [[Jewish]] writers [[J. D. Salinger]], [[Philip Roth]], and [[Bruce Jay Friedman]].<ref name="bio"/> At this time, Beatts converted to [[Judaism]].<ref name="bio"/>
It was at McGill University where Beatts discovered the [[dark humor]] of Jewish writers [[J. D. Salinger]], [[Philip Roth]], and [[Bruce Jay Friedman]].<ref name="bio"/> At this time, Beatts converted to Judaism.<ref name="bio"/>


== ''National Lampoon'' ==
== ''National Lampoon'' ==
After graduating from college, Beatts joined [[National Lampoon (magazine)|''National Lampoon'' magazine]], a national offshoot of the ''[[Harvard Lampoon]]''. She co-wrote a parody advertisement for [[Volkswagen]] which was conceived by Philip Socci for which the magazine was later sued by the car company.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944670,00.html?promoid=googlep | work=Time | title=The Press: Lampoon's Surrender | date=12 November 1973 | access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> The advertisement stated, "If [[Ted Kennedy]] drove a Volkswagen, he'd be President today," accompanied by a photograph of a [[Volkswagen Beetle|VW Beetle]] floating on a lake (an allusion to [[Ted Kennedy Chappaquiddick incident|Kennedy's Chappaquiddick incident]]).
After graduating from college, Beatts wrote for [[The Village Voice]] and [[National Lampoon (magazine)|''National Lampoon'' magazine]], a national offshoot of the ''[[Harvard Lampoon]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Anne Beatts, original SNL writer who broke into boys' club of comedy, dies at 74|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/anne-beatts-dead/2021/04/09/ffa95b0e-993e-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html|access-date=2021-07-22|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> She co-wrote a parody advertisement for [[Volkswagen]], conceived by Philip Socci, for which the magazine was later sued by the car company.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944670,00.html?promoid=googlep | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930170824/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944670,00.html?promoid=googlep | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 30, 2007 | magazine=Time | title=The Press: Lampoon's Surrender | date=12 November 1973 | access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> The advertisement stated, "If [[Ted Kennedy]] drove a Volkswagen, he'd be President today," accompanied by a photograph of a [[Volkswagen Beetle|VW Beetle]] floating on a lake (an allusion to [[Ted Kennedy Chappaquiddick incident|Kennedy's Chappaquiddick incident]]).<ref name=Krassner>{{cite web|date=Nov 6, 2015|title=The Rise and Fall of the National Lampoon|work=[[CounterPunch]]|first=Paul |last=Krassner|author-link=Paul Krassner|url=https://www.counterpunch.org/2015/11/06/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-national-lampoon/}}</ref>


During Beatts' time at ''National Lampoon'' magazine, she worked with [[Michael O'Donoghue]]. The two became romantically involved, and both joined the creative team of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in the early years of the program.<ref>[http://www.malcolmgladwell.com/2002/2002_12_02_a_snl.htm gladwell dot com - group think<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428053411/http://www.malcolmgladwell.com/2002/2002_12_02_a_snl.htm |date=April 28, 2007 }}</ref>
During Beatts' time at ''National Lampoon'' magazine, she worked with [[Michael O'Donoghue]]. The two became romantically involved,<ref name=Krassner /> and both joined the creative team of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in the early years of the program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malcolmgladwell.com/2002/2002_12_02_a_snl.htm|title=Group Think|website=gladwell.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428053411/http://www.malcolmgladwell.com/2002/2002_12_02_a_snl.htm|archive-date=April 28, 2007}}</ref>


== Television ==
== Television ==
At ''SNL'' she was nominated for an [[Emmy]] five times, winning once.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anne Beatts|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/anne-beatts|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Television Academy|language=en}}</ref> Beatts created the 1982 CBS sitcom ''[[Square Pegs]]'' starring a young Sarah Jessica Parker and Jami Gertz,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chaney|first=Jen|date=2021-04-09|title=Allow Anne Beatts to Set the Record Straight About Square Pegs|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/anne-beatts-square-pegs-appreciation-cancellation.html|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}</ref> and additionally appeared in uncredited guest spots on the early ''SNL''.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
At ''SNL'', she was nominated for an [[Emmy]] five times, winning once.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anne Beatts|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/anne-beatts|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Television Academy|language=en}}</ref> Beatts created the 1982 CBS sitcom ''[[Square Pegs]]'' starring [[Sarah Jessica Parker]] and [[Jami Gertz]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chaney|first=Jen|date=2021-04-09|title=Allow Anne Beatts to Set the Record Straight About Square Pegs|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/anne-beatts-square-pegs-appreciation-cancellation.html|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}</ref> and additionally appeared in uncredited guest spots on the early ''SNL''.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} For ''Square Pegs'', Beatts hired a staff of five women writers, believing they would be best able to voice the experiences of a teenage girl, but the network compelled her to include a male writer, [[Andy Borowitz]], to connect with a broader audience.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-23|title=Anne Beatts|url=https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/anne-beatts|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Television Academy Interviews|language=en}}</ref>


Beatts wrote the book for the 1985 [[Ellie Greenwich]] [[jukebox musical]] ''[[Leader of the Pack (musical)|Leader of the Pack]].''<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Greenwich|first1=Ellie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdFCodi_a4IC|title=Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical|last2=Beatts|first2=Anne P.|last3=Mintz|first3=Melanie|last4=Heifner|first4=Jack|date=1987|publisher=Samuel French, Inc.|isbn=978-0-573-68168-4|language=en}}</ref>
Beatts wrote the book for the 1985 [[Ellie Greenwich]] [[jukebox musical]] ''[[Leader of the Pack (musical)|Leader of the Pack]].''<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Greenwich|first1=Ellie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdFCodi_a4IC|title=Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical|last2=Beatts|first2=Anne P.|last3=Mintz|first3=Melanie|last4=Heifner|first4=Jack|date=1987|publisher=Samuel French, Inc.|isbn=978-0-573-68168-4|language=en}}</ref>


Starting in 1987, she produced the first season of ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' spinoff ''[[A Different World]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haithman|first=Diane|date=1988-10-06|title=Different Touch to 'Different World'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-06-ca-4490-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
Starting in 1987, she produced the first season of ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' spinoff ''[[A Different World]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haithman|first=Diane|date=1988-10-06|title=Different Touch to 'Different World'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-06-ca-4490-story.html|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>


In [[53rd Writers Guild of America Awards|2000]] she won a [[Writer's Guild of America|Writer's Guild]] Award for Best Comedy/Variety show for her part in writing the [[Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special|''Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special'']].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|date=2001-01-11|title=NBC tops WGA TV noms|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/nbc-tops-wga-tv-noms-1117791658/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
In [[53rd Writers Guild of America Awards|2000]] she won a [[Writers Guild of America|Writers Guild]] Award for Best Comedy/Variety show for her part in writing the [[Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special|''Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special'']].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|date=2001-01-11|title=NBC tops WGA TV noms|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/nbc-tops-wga-tv-noms-1117791658/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>


In 2006, she directed the series ''[[John Waters (filmmaker)|John Waters]] Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You'' with her writing and producing partner, Eve Brandstein for B-Girls Productions.
In 2006, she directed the series ''[[John Waters (filmmaker)|John Waters]] Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You'' with her writing and producing partner, Eve Brandstein, for B-Girls Productions.


In 2007, Beatts served as one of the judges for the online comedy competition ''Project Breakout''.<ref>[http://comedy.projectbreakout.com/ Stand-Up vs. Sketch Comedy Showdown | Project Breakout<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517142839/http://comedy.projectbreakout.com/ |date=May 17, 2007 }}</ref>
In 2007, Beatts served as one of the judges for the online comedy competition ''Project Breakout''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comedy.projectbreakout.com/|title=Comedy Contest|website=Project Breakout|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517142839/http://comedy.projectbreakout.com/|archive-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref>


Beatts served as [[Adjunct professor|Adjunct Professor]] in the Writing Division at the [[University of Southern California]]'s School of Cinematic Arts,<ref name="USC">{{cite web|url=http://cinema.usc.edu/faculty/beatts-anne.htm|title=Anne Beatts|publisher=University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts|access-date=28 February 2010|location=Los Angeles, Calif.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226035306/http://cinema.usc.edu/faculty/beatts-anne.htm|archive-date=26 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as at [[Chapman University]]'s [[Dodge College of Film and Media Arts]]. She also gave private lessons on writing sketch comedy.<ref name="private lessons">{{cite web|url=http://modernmirth.com/anne/annebeatts.html|title=Saturday Night Live in 5 Easy Lessons!|last=Beatts|first=Anne|access-date=28 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119104023/http://modernmirth.com/anne/annebeatts.html|archive-date=19 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Beatts served as [[Adjunct professor|Adjunct Professor]] in the Writing Division at the [[University of Southern California]]'s School of Cinematic Arts,<ref name="USC">{{cite web|url=http://cinema.usc.edu/faculty/beatts-anne.htm|title=Anne Beatts|publisher=University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts|access-date=28 February 2010|location=Los Angeles, Calif.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226035306/http://cinema.usc.edu/faculty/beatts-anne.htm|archive-date=26 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as at [[Chapman University]]'s [[Dodge College of Film and Media Arts]]. She also gave private lessons on writing sketch comedy.<ref name="private lessons">{{cite web|url=http://modernmirth.com/anne/annebeatts.html|title=Saturday Night Live in 5 Easy Lessons!|last=Beatts|first=Anne|access-date=28 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119104023/http://modernmirth.com/anne/annebeatts.html|archive-date=19 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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*''[[National Lampoon (magazine)|National Lampoon]]'' (Magazine)
*''[[National Lampoon (magazine)|National Lampoon]]'' (Magazine)
*''[[National Lampoon's Lemmings]]'' (with [[Sean Kelly (writer)|Sean Kelly]], [[Tony Hendra]], [[Christopher Guest]], and [[Paul Jacobs (composer)|Paul Jacobs]]) (1973) (Stage Show)
*''[[National Lampoon's Lemmings]]'' (with [[Sean Kelly (writer)|Sean Kelly]], [[Tony Hendra]], [[Christopher Guest]], and [[Paul Jacobs (composer)|Paul Jacobs]]) (1973) (Stage Show)
*''[[Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle]]'' (with [[Michael O'Donohue]]) (1975) (Adaptation)
*''[[Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle]]'' (with [[Michael O'Donoghue]]) (1975) (Adaptation)
*''National Lampoon: A Dirty Book'' (1976) (Book)
*''[[National Lampoon: A Dirty Book]]'' (1976) (Book)
*''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (1975–1979) (TV)
*''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (1975–1979) (TV)
*''Titters: The First Collection of Humor by Women'' (with Deanne Stillman) (1976)
*''[[Titters: The First Collection of Humor by Women]]'' (with [[Deanne Stillman]]) (1976) (Book)
*''[[Gilda Live]]'' (with [[Gilda Radner]], [[Michael O'Donoghue]], [[Alan Zweibel]], [[Don Novello]], [[Lorne Michaels]], [[Marilyn Suzanne Miller]], [[Paul Shaffer]], and [[Rosie Shuster]]) (1980) (Stage Show)
*''[[Gilda Live]]'' (with [[Gilda Radner]], [[Michael O'Donoghue]], [[Alan Zweibel]], [[Don Novello]], [[Lorne Michaels]], [[Marilyn Suzanne Miller]], [[Paul Shaffer]], and [[Rosie Shuster]]) (1980) (Stage Show)
*''[[Square Pegs]]'' (1982–1983) (TV)
*''[[Square Pegs]]'' (1982–1983) (TV)
*''Titters 101'' (with Deanne Stillman and [[Judith Jacklin Belushi]]) (1984) (Book)
*''[[Titters 101]]'' (with [[Deanne Stillman]] and [[Judith Jacklin Belushi]]) (1984) (Book)
*''[[Leader of the Pack (musical)|Leader of the Pack]]'' (1985) (Stage Show)
*''[[Leader of the Pack (musical)|Leader of the Pack]]'' (1985) (Stage Show)
* “The Mom Book” (with Judith Victoria Jacklin [Belushi] and Deanne Stillman (1986) (Book)
*''[[The Mom Book]]'' (with [[Judith Jacklin Belushi]] and [[Deanne Stillman]]) (1986) (Book)
*''[[A Different World]]'' (1987–1988) (TV) (Producer only)
*''[[A Different World]]'' (1987–1988) (TV) (Producer only)
*''[[Faerie Tale Theatre]]'' (1987) (TV)
*''[[Faerie Tale Theatre]]'' (1987) (TV)
*''The Belles of Bleeker Street'' (1991) (TV)
*''[[The Belles of Bleeker Street]]'' (1991) (TV)
*''[[Murphy Brown]]'' (1991) (TV)
*''[[Murphy Brown]]'' (1991) (TV)
*''The Elvira Show'' (1993) (TV)
*''[[The Elvira Show]]'' (1993) (TV)
*''[[The Stephanie Miller Show]]'' (1995) (TV)
*''[[The Stephanie Miller Show]]'' (1995) (TV)
*''[[Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child]]'' (2000) (TV)
*''[[Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child]]'' (2000) (TV)
*''Hollywood Off-Ramp'' (2000) (TV)
*''[[Hollywood Off-Ramp]]'' (2000) (TV)
*''56th Annual Writers' Guild Awards'' (2004) (TV)
*''[[56th Annual Writers' Guild Awards]]'' (2004) (TV)


==Media portrayals==
==Media portrayals==
Beatts was portrayed by [[Natasha Lyonne]] in the 2018 [[Netflix]] film ''[[A Futile and Stupid Gesture (film)|A Futile and Stupid Gesture]]''. She was profiled in the January 6, 2020, issue of ''[[New York Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cheney|first=Jen|title=Anne Beatts was always more interesting than John Hughes |magazine=[[New York Magazine]] |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/anne-beatts-was-always-more-interesting-than-john-hughes.html |date=January 6, 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2020}}</ref>
Beatts was portrayed by [[Natasha Lyonne]] in the 2018 [[Netflix]] film ''[[A Futile and Stupid Gesture (film)|A Futile and Stupid Gesture]],'' and Leander Suleiman in ''[[Saturday Night (2024 film)|Saturday Night]].'' She was profiled in the January 6, 2020, issue of ''[[New York Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cheney|first=Jen|title=Anne Beatts was always more interesting than John Hughes |magazine=[[New York Magazine]] |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/anne-beatts-was-always-more-interesting-than-john-hughes.html |date=January 6, 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2020}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
Beatts died at age 74 on April 7, 2021, at her home in [[West Hollywood]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kilkenny|first=Katie|date=2021-04-08|title=Anne Beatts, 'SNL' Writer and 'Square Pegs' Creator, Dies at 74|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anne-beatts-snl-writer-and-square-pegs-creator-dies-at-74|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-11|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Anne Beatts, 'Saturday Night Live' writer and creator of 'Square Pegs,' dies at 74 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-anne-beatts-dead-20210408-gawqcds4rngq3phwdjqnwkng3i-story.html |access-date=8 April 2021 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 8, 2021}}</ref>
Beatts died at age 74 on April 7, 2021, at her home in [[West Hollywood]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kilkenny|first=Katie|date=2021-04-08|title=Anne Beatts, 'SNL' Writer and 'Square Pegs' Creator, Dies at 74|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anne-beatts-snl-writer-and-square-pegs-creator-dies-at-74|access-date=2021-04-11|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Anne Beatts, 'Saturday Night Live' writer and creator of 'Square Pegs,' dies at 74 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-anne-beatts-dead-20210408-gawqcds4rngq3phwdjqnwkng3i-story.html |access-date=8 April 2021 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 8, 2021}}</ref>
She is survived by her daughter, Jaylene Beatts.
She is survived by her daughter, Jaylene Beatts.


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Beatts, Anne}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
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[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
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[[Category:American people of Scottish descent]]
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[[Category:American comedy writers]]
[[Category:American humorists]]
[[Category:American humorists]]
[[Category:American magazine editors]]
[[Category:American magazine editors]]
[[Category:American people of Canadian descent]]
[[Category:American women non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American women screenwriters]]
[[Category:American women screenwriters]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American women television producers]]
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[[Category:American television writers]]
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[[Category:Converts to Judaism]]
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[[Category:Emmy Award winners]]
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[[Category:Writers from Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:American women television writers]]
[[Category:American women television writers]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Comedians from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Converts to Judaism]]
[[Category:Jewish American comedians]]
[[Category:Jewish female comedians]]
[[Category:Jewish American comedy writers]]
[[Category:Jewish American screenwriters]]
[[Category:American television producers]]
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[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:National Lampoon people]]
[[Category:National Lampoon people]]
[[Category:Women humorists]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American women non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Television producers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Women magazine editors]]
[[Category:American women humorists]]
[[Category:20th-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:American women magazine editors]]
[[Category:20th-century American women writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Buffalo, New York]]
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[[Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners]]

Latest revision as of 19:59, 12 October 2024

Anne Beatts
Anne Beatts is facing right, holding a microphone. She has gray hair. She is wearing a scarf and a brown jacket. She has a serious expression.
Beatts in 2010
Born(1947-02-25)February 25, 1947
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 7, 2021(2021-04-07) (aged 74)
West Hollywood, California, U.S.
Alma materMcGill University
OccupationComedy writer

Anne Beatts (February 25, 1947 – April 7, 2021) was an American comedy writer.

Early life

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Beatts was born in Buffalo, New York, to Sheila Elizabeth Jean (Sherriff-Scott) and Patrick Murray Threipland Beatts.[1][2][3] She has described her parents as "beatniks."[4] Beatts had what has been called an "aggressive, dark sensibility."[4] Growing up in Somers, New York, she later attended McGill University.[4]

It was at McGill University where Beatts discovered the dark humor of Jewish writers J. D. Salinger, Philip Roth, and Bruce Jay Friedman.[4] At this time, Beatts converted to Judaism.[4]

National Lampoon

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After graduating from college, Beatts wrote for The Village Voice and National Lampoon magazine, a national offshoot of the Harvard Lampoon.[5] She co-wrote a parody advertisement for Volkswagen, conceived by Philip Socci, for which the magazine was later sued by the car company.[6] The advertisement stated, "If Ted Kennedy drove a Volkswagen, he'd be President today," accompanied by a photograph of a VW Beetle floating on a lake (an allusion to Kennedy's Chappaquiddick incident).[7]

During Beatts' time at National Lampoon magazine, she worked with Michael O'Donoghue. The two became romantically involved,[7] and both joined the creative team of Saturday Night Live in the early years of the program.[8]

Television

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At SNL, she was nominated for an Emmy five times, winning once.[9] Beatts created the 1982 CBS sitcom Square Pegs starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Jami Gertz,[10] and additionally appeared in uncredited guest spots on the early SNL.[citation needed] For Square Pegs, Beatts hired a staff of five women writers, believing they would be best able to voice the experiences of a teenage girl, but the network compelled her to include a male writer, Andy Borowitz, to connect with a broader audience.[11]

Beatts wrote the book for the 1985 Ellie Greenwich jukebox musical Leader of the Pack.[12]

Starting in 1987, she produced the first season of The Cosby Show spinoff A Different World.[13]

In 2000 she won a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy/Variety show for her part in writing the Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special.[14]

In 2006, she directed the series John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You with her writing and producing partner, Eve Brandstein, for B-Girls Productions.

In 2007, Beatts served as one of the judges for the online comedy competition Project Breakout.[15]

Beatts served as Adjunct Professor in the Writing Division at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts,[16] as well as at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. She also gave private lessons on writing sketch comedy.[17]

Credits

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Media portrayals

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Beatts was portrayed by Natasha Lyonne in the 2018 Netflix film A Futile and Stupid Gesture, and Leander Suleiman in Saturday Night. She was profiled in the January 6, 2020, issue of New York Magazine.[18]

Death

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Beatts died at age 74 on April 7, 2021, at her home in West Hollywood.[19][20] She is survived by her daughter, Jaylene Beatts.

References

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  1. ^ Marquis Who's Who Inc (2004). Who's Who of American Women 2004-2005. Marquis Whos Who. ISBN 978-0-8379-0430-6.
  2. ^ "The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 27, 1960 · 37". Newspapers.com. 27 May 1960. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  3. ^ "The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on October 25, 1980 · 87". Newspapers.com. 25 October 1980. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Anne Beatts". She Made It - The Paley Center for Media. Archived from the original on February 27, 2007.
  5. ^ "Anne Beatts, original SNL writer who broke into boys' club of comedy, dies at 74". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  6. ^ "The Press: Lampoon's Surrender". Time. 12 November 1973. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  7. ^ a b Krassner, Paul (Nov 6, 2015). "The Rise and Fall of the National Lampoon". CounterPunch.
  8. ^ "Group Think". gladwell.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2007.
  9. ^ "Anne Beatts". Television Academy. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  10. ^ Chaney, Jen (2021-04-09). "Allow Anne Beatts to Set the Record Straight About Square Pegs". Vulture. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  11. ^ "Anne Beatts". Television Academy Interviews. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  12. ^ Greenwich, Ellie; Beatts, Anne P.; Mintz, Melanie; Heifner, Jack (1987). Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical. Samuel French, Inc. ISBN 978-0-573-68168-4.
  13. ^ Haithman, Diane (1988-10-06). "Different Touch to 'Different World'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  14. ^ McNary, Dave (2001-01-11). "NBC tops WGA TV noms". Variety. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  15. ^ "Comedy Contest". Project Breakout. Archived from the original on May 17, 2007.
  16. ^ "Anne Beatts". Los Angeles, Calif.: University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. Archived from the original on 26 February 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  17. ^ Beatts, Anne. "Saturday Night Live in 5 Easy Lessons!". Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  18. ^ Cheney, Jen (January 6, 2020). "Anne Beatts was always more interesting than John Hughes". New York Magazine. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  19. ^ Kilkenny, Katie (2021-04-08). "Anne Beatts, 'SNL' Writer and 'Square Pegs' Creator, Dies at 74". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  20. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 8, 2021). "Anne Beatts, 'Saturday Night Live' writer and creator of 'Square Pegs,' dies at 74". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
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