Author, Motion Picture Screenwriter. Author of the antiwar novel "Johnny Got His Gun," published one week after the Nazis invaded Poland. Also wrote "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," "Hawaii," and "Papillon." His early scripts included "A Man to Remember," "Kitty Foyle," "A Guy Named Joe," "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes," and "Tender Comrade." He was one of Hollywood's most successful writers until 1947, when he was summoned to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee about alleged Communist activities. He would become one of the "Hollywood 10" because of his refusal to testify. He spent 10 months at the federal prison in Ashland, Kentucky for contempt of Congress. After his release, he found himself unemployable because of the industry blacklist. He and his family lived in Mexico City where Trumbo said they "almost starved to death." He returned to Los Angeles and starting writing scripts under pseudonyms. He would win an Academy Award under the name 'Robert Rich' for "The Brave One." The statuette remained in the offices of the Motion Picture Academy until 1975 when (then) President Walter Mirisch presented it to the ailing Trumbo. Trumbo moved to Los Angeles in 1925 and worked in a bakery at $18 a week. He began selling magazine stories, then started at the studios. Trumbo reentered the spotlight in 1960 when Kirk Douglas hired him to write "Spartacus."
Author, Motion Picture Screenwriter. Author of the antiwar novel "Johnny Got His Gun," published one week after the Nazis invaded Poland. Also wrote "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," "Hawaii," and "Papillon." His early scripts included "A Man to Remember," "Kitty Foyle," "A Guy Named Joe," "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes," and "Tender Comrade." He was one of Hollywood's most successful writers until 1947, when he was summoned to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee about alleged Communist activities. He would become one of the "Hollywood 10" because of his refusal to testify. He spent 10 months at the federal prison in Ashland, Kentucky for contempt of Congress. After his release, he found himself unemployable because of the industry blacklist. He and his family lived in Mexico City where Trumbo said they "almost starved to death." He returned to Los Angeles and starting writing scripts under pseudonyms. He would win an Academy Award under the name 'Robert Rich' for "The Brave One." The statuette remained in the offices of the Motion Picture Academy until 1975 when (then) President Walter Mirisch presented it to the ailing Trumbo. Trumbo moved to Los Angeles in 1925 and worked in a bakery at $18 a week. He began selling magazine stories, then started at the studios. Trumbo reentered the spotlight in 1960 when Kirk Douglas hired him to write "Spartacus."
Bio by: Donna Di Giacomo
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