Philip G. Epstein was a renowned American screenwriter, best known for his collaborative efforts with his twin brother Julius and other writers on the iconic film Casablanca (1942),which was adapted from the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's. Born on August 22, 1909, in New York City, Epstein grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where his father operated a livery stable amidst the city's horse-drawn carriage era.
Epstein pursued higher education at Pennsylvania State College, now known as Penn State University, and graduated in 1931. His career in Hollywood was marked by a tumultuous relationship with Jack Warner, head of Warner Brothers, who admired the Epstein brothers' commercial success but disapproved of their pranks, work habits, and unconventional hours. In 1952, Warner ultimately betrayed the brothers' trust by providing their names to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).
Despite never testifying before the committee, the Epstein brothers responded to a HUAC questionnaire by humorously writing "Yes. Warner Brothers" to the question of whether they had ever been members of a "subversive organization." Tragically, Epstein's life was cut short due to cancer, which claimed his life in Hollywood, California in 1952 at the age of 42.
Epstein's legacy extends beyond his own accomplishments, as his son Leslie Epstein is a respected novelist and director of the creative writing program at Boston University. Leslie's son, Theo Epstein, is the general manager of the Boston Red Sox, and his daughter, Anya Epstein, is a screenwriter, ensuring that the Epstein family's creative talents continue to thrive across generations.
