Nora Ephron began her professional life as a mail girl at Newsweek, a position she accepted after being explicitly told the magazine did not hire women writers. This early exclusion from the editorial floor helped launch a career that spanned journalism, essay writing, playwriting, and a transition into filmmaking, where she became a prominent force in American romantic comedy.
Early Journalism and Literary Beginnings
Born in 1941 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to playwright parents, Ephron grew up in Beverly Hills, California. Following her graduation from Wellesley College in 1962, she attempted to establish herself as a journalist. After her time at Newsweek, she secured a reporting role at the New York Post in 1965. Her journalistic output included columns for Esquire, New York, and Cosmopolitan. These pieces were noted for their sharp, personal perspective, particularly her essays on contemporary gender dynamics and social issues.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Screenwriting Career
Ephron transitioned into screenwriting during the 1970s and 1980s. Her credits include the script for the 1983 film Silkwood, which earned an Academy Award nomination. She adapted her own semi-autobiographical novel, Heartburn, for the screen in 1986. Her screenplay for the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally... received a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay and solidified her reputation for dialogue-driven narratives. This work remains highly regarded within the film industry for its structure and character development.
Directing and Theater
In 1992, Ephron moved into directing with the film This Is My Life. Her subsequent directorial projects included romantic comedies such as Sleepless in Seattle, Michael, You've Got Mail, Bewitched, and the 2009 biographical film Julie & Julia. Beyond film, she explored theatrical writing. Her play Imaginary Friends premiered in 2002, and she co-authored the production Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Her final play, Lucky Guy, received a posthumous Tony Award nomination for Best Play.
Fast facts
- Born: 1941, Upper West Side
- Died: 2012, Manhattan
- Educated at: Beverly Hills High School; Wellesley College
- Early Employer: Newsweek (1962)
- BAFTA Award: Best Original Screenplay (1990)
- Citizenship: United States
- Religion: Atheism
Questions readers ask
What was Nora Ephron's first directorial feature?
Her debut as a film director was the 1992 comedy-drama This Is My Life.
Did Ephron receive recognition for her playwriting?
Yes, her play Imaginary Friends was named one of the ten best plays of the 2002–03 New York theatre season, and she earned a posthumous Tony Award nomination for Lucky Guy.
Achievements
- BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay — 1990
- Worked as screenwriter, film producer and film director
