William Rose (December 12, 1914 - February 10, 1987) was a major American screenwriter of British and Hollywood films.
Although born in Jefferson City, Missouri, after the 1939 outbreak of World War II Rose went to Canada and volunteered to fight overseas with the The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada. After being stationed at bases in Scotland and Europe, at war's end he returned to live in Britain to work as a screenwriter for Pinewood Studios. There, he became a working associate of the American-born director, Alexander Mackendrick, notably for their collaboration (screenwriter/director) on the very successful 1955 film, The Ladykillers.
Blessed with the ability to adapt to two distinct cultures, William Rose wrote a number of popular British comedies including 1953's Genevieve. He also provided scripts for Hollywood studios, earning several Academy Award nominations for his scriptwriting and winning the 1967 Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Rose also won the Writers Guild of America award for Best Written American Comedy for 1966's, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming. In 1973, Rose's lifetime achievements were recognized by the Writer's Guild with their "Laurel Award."
William Rose died in 1987 in Jersey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom.
Screenwriting award wins:
Screenwriting award nominations:
Filmography:
The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1969)