Mount Hebron Cemetery

Category: Famous

Story Summary:

Morrie Ryskind (1895-1985) was a versatile American writer whose career spanned theater, film, and political journalism. A Columbia University student turned Broadway success, he collaborated with luminaries like George S. Kaufman, the Marx Brothers, and Irving Berlin, co-authoring hits like The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, and Of Thee I Sing, which won a Pulitzer Prize. Ryskind transitioned to Hollywood, contributing to classic films such as A Night at the Opera and Stage Door, earning two Oscar nominations. Though initially active in left-leaning circles, he became a prominent conservative voice, participating in HUAC hearings and helping to found The National Review. He later wrote widely circulated political columns and supported figures like Ronald Reagan. Ryskind's legacy lies in his sharp wit and lasting influence on both American comedy and conservative commentary. ~Blog by Deirdre Mooney

"Pulitzer to Politics: The Dual Legacy of Morrie Ryskind"

Morrie Ryskind (1895–1985) was a prolific American playwright, screenwriter, lyricist, and later, conservative political columnist, whose career spanned some of the most influential decades in American cultural and political life. Born in Brooklyn to Russian Jewish immigrants, Ryskind demonstrated literary talent from an early age. At Columbia University, he edited the humor magazine The Jester and quickly made a name for himself with his sharp, clever writing. Although he was expelled just six weeks before graduation in 1917 due to a controversial editorial, Columbia later honored his accomplishments by awarding him an honorary degree in 1942.

Ryskind's early professional years included work as a journalist and poet, with the 1921 publication of his book of light verse Unaccustomed as I Am. His theatrical breakthrough came through a collaboration with George S. Kaufman on The Cocoanuts, a Marx Brothers musical with music by Irving Berlin. This marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would yield Broadway hits such as Animal Crackers and Of Thee I Sing, the latter earning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1932—the first time the honor was awarded to a musical.

As his career expanded into Hollywood, Ryskind adapted many of his stage successes for film. He co-wrote or contributed to the screenplays of A Night at the Opera, My Man Godfrey, and Stage Door, receiving two Academy Award nominations. His work helped shape the landscape of early American comedy, known for its sophistication, humor, and timely social insight.

Over time, Ryskind's political views evolved. While he had once been active in progressive circles, he later became a leading voice in American conservatism. In 1947, along with Gary Cooper, Ronald Reagan, Adolphe Menjou, and others, he testified before the House Committee on Un-American Activities about Communist influence in the film industry—a moment that reflected the era's heightened concern over ideological influence in the arts and media. He became a member of the John Birch Society, an ultra-conservative anti-Communist group, but soon left it, writing a scathing column about its leader, Robert Welch, whose direction he believed was damaging to serious conservative causes.

Ryskind went on to write a nationally syndicated column for the Los Angeles Times and later for the Herald Examiner. He played an instrumental role in the founding of The National Review, supported the work of William F. Buckley Jr., and maintained friendships with prominent figures including Ronald Reagan, who visited Ryskind shortly after being elected president in 1980. He also contributed to Human Events, a conservative magazine with which his family was closely connected.

His daughter, Ruth Ohman, became a longtime editor of a major medical journal, while his son, Allan Ryskind, was the founder, owner (for 50 years), editor, and contributing writer to Human Events, and the author of several books. Morrie himself was also a contributor to the publication.

Although he stepped away from theatrical and screenwriting work after the mid-1940s, Ryskind’s earlier contributions remained highly influential. His collaborations with George S. Kaufman, the Marx Brothers, George and Ira Gershwin, and Irving Berlin helped define the golden age of American musical theater and comedy film. His writing brought sophistication and satire to the stage and screen, and later to the political commentary pages.

Morrie Ryskind passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 24, 1985, at the age of 90, in Washington, D.C. He was survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughter Ruth Ohman, executive editor of the Journal of American Cardiologists; his son Allan Ryskind; and three grandchildren. His legacy is that of a gifted writer whose works blended wit and insight across mediums, and whose voice resonated in both cultural and political conversations for decades.

May his memory be a blessing.

~Blog Written by Deirdre Poulos

Stage productions

Reporter or columnist for The World

Unaccustomed as I Am (poetry collection) 1921

Contributor to The Conning Tower (F P Adams)

Publicity Dept at Fox

Stranger Than Fiction 1921 (a silent movie; just did some title cards

One Helluva Night 1924 (revue) contributed

Garrick Gaieties 1924 (revue) contributed

The Coconuts, play (w Kaufman, Berlin) 1925

Americana (a revue) 1926