Aaron Sorkin

American filmmaker (born 1961)Template:SHORTDESC:American filmmaker (born 1961)

* screenwriter
* playwright

**Aaron Benjamin Sorkin** (born June 9, 1961) is an American film director, screenwriter, and playwright. Born in New York City, Sorkin developed a passion for writing at an early age. His works include the Broadway plays *A Few Good Men*, *The Farnsworth Invention*, and *To Kill a Mockingbird*, as well as the television series *Sports Night* (1998–2000), *The West Wing* (1999–2006), *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip* (2006–07), and *The Newsroom* (2012–14)*.* He wrote the film screenplay for the legal drama *A Few Good Men* (1992), the comedy *The American President* (1995), and several biopics including *Charlie Wilson's War* (2007), *Moneyball* (2011), and *Steve Jobs* (2015). For writing 2010's *The Social Network*, he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay.

Sorkin made his feature film debut as a director in 2017 with the crime drama *Molly's Game*, which garnered mostly positive reviews and earned him a third Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. His follow-up directorial film was the historical legal drama *The Trial of the Chicago 7* (2020) which earned six Oscar nominations including Sorkin's first nomination for Best Original Screenplay. As a writer, Sorkin is recognized for his trademark fast-paced dialogue and extended monologues, complemented by frequent collaborator Thomas Schlamme's storytelling technique called the "walk and talk". These sequences consist of single tracking shots of long duration involving multiple characters engaging in conversation as they move through the set; characters enter and exit the conversation as the shot continues without any cuts.

## Early life

Sorkin was born in Manhattan, New York City, to a Jewish family, and was raised in the New York suburb of Scarsdale. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father a copyright lawyer who had fought in WWII and put himself through college on the G.I. Bill; both his older sister and brother went on to become lawyers. His paternal grandfather was one of the founders of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Sorkin took an early interest in acting. During childhood, his parents took him to the theatre to see shows such as *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* and *That Championship Season*.

Sorkin attended Scarsdale High School where he became involved in the drama and theatre club. In the eighth grade, he played General Bullmoose in the musical *Li'l Abner*. At Scarsdale High, he served as vice president of the drama club in his junior and senior years, and graduated in 1979.

In 1979, Sorkin attended Syracuse University. In his freshman year, he failed a class that was a core requirement, which caused a setback because he wanted to be an actor, and the drama department did not allow students to take the stage until they completed the core classes. Determined to do better, he returned for his sophomore year, and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. Recalling the influence of theatre teacher Arthur Storch, Sorkin said: "Arthur's reputation as a director, and as a disciple of Lee Strasberg, was a big reason why a lot of us went to S.U. [Syracuse University]... 'You have the capacity to be so much better than you are', he started saying to me in September of my senior year. He was still saying it in May. On the last day of classes, he said it again, and I said, 'How?', and he answered, 'Dare to fail'. I've been coming through on his admonition ever since".

## Career

### 1983–1990: Early work and breakthrough

I don't want to analyze myself or anything, but I think, in fact I know this to be true, that I enter the world through what I write. I grew up believing, and continue to believe, that I am a screw-up, that growing up with my family and friends, I had nothing to offer in any conversation. But when I started writing, suddenly there was something that I brought to the party that was at a high-enough level.

—Sorkin on becoming a writer

Sorkin moved to New York City where he spent much of the 1980s as a struggling, sporadically-employed actor who worked odd jobs, such as delivering singing telegrams, driving a limousine, touring Alabama with the children's theatre company Traveling Playhouse, handing out fliers promoting a hunting-and-fishing show, and bartending at Broadway's Palace Theatre. One weekend, while house-sitting for a friend, he found an IBM Selectric typewriter, started typing, and "felt a phenomenal confidence and a kind of joy that [he] had never experienced before in [his] life".

He continued writing and eventually put together his first play, *Removing All Doubt,* which he sent to his former theatre teacher, Arthur Storch, who was impressed. In 1984, *Removing All Doubt* was staged for drama students at his alma mater, Syracuse University. After that, he wrote *Hidden in This Picture* which debuted off-off-Broadway at Steve Olsen's West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar in New York City in 1988. The quality of his first two plays earned him a theatrical agent. Producer John A. McQuiggan saw the production of *Hidden in This Picture* and commissioned Sorkin to turn the one-act into a full-length play called *Making Movies*.

Sorkin was inspired to write his next play, a courtroom drama called *A Few Good Men*, from a phone conversation with his sister Deborah, who had graduated from Boston University Law School and signed up for a three-year stint with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. Deborah told Sorkin that she was going to Guantanamo Bay to defend a group of Marines who came close to killing a fellow Marine in a hazing ordered by a superior officer. Sorkin took that information and wrote much of his story on cocktail napkins while bartending at the Palace Theatre. He and his roommates had purchased a Macintosh 512K; when he returned home, he would transcribe the story and notes onto the computer, forming a basis from which he wrote many drafts for *A Few Good Men*.

In 1988, Sorkin sold the film rights for *A Few Good Men* to producer David Brown before it premiered, in a deal that was reportedly "well into six figures". Brown had read an article in *The New York Times* about Sorkin's one-act play *Hidden in This Picture,* and found out Sorkin had a play called *A Few Good Men* that was having Off Broadway readings. Brown produced *A Few Good Men* on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre. It starred Tom Hulce and was directed by Don Scardino. After opening in late 1989, it ran for 497 performances. Sorkin continued writing *Making Movies* and in 1990 it debuted Off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre, produced by John A. McQuiggan, and again directed by Don Scardino. Meanwhile, Brown was producing for TriStar Pictures, and tried to interest them in adapting *A Few Good Men* into a film, but his proposal was declined due to the lack of star actor involvement. Brown later received a phone call from Alan Horn at Castle Rock Entertainment who was anxious to make the film. Rob Reiner, a Castle Rock producing partner, opted to direct.

### 1991–1997: Writing for Castle Rock Entertainment

 File:A Few Good Men at Haymarket Theatre London.jpg
Sorkin worked under contract for Castle Rock Entertainment, where he befriended colleagues William Goldman and Rob Reiner, and met his future wife Julia Bingham, who was one of Castle Rock's business affairs lawyers. Sorkin wrote several drafts of the script for *A Few Good Men* in his Manhattan apartment, learning the craft from a book about screenplay format. He then spent several months at the Los Angeles offices of Castle Rock, working on the script with director Rob Reiner. William Goldman (who regularly worked under contract at Castle Rock) became his mentor and helped him to adapt his stage play into a screenplay. The film, directed by Reiner, starred Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon, and was produced by Brown. *A Few Good Men* was released in 1992 and was a box office success, grossing $243 million worldwide.

Goldman also approached Sorkin with a story premise, which Sorkin developed into the script for the thriller *Malice*. Goldman oversaw the project as creative consultant while Sorkin wrote the first two drafts. However, he had to leave the project to finish the script for *A Few Good Men*, so screenwriter Scott Frank stepped in and wrote two drafts of the *Malice* screenplay. When production on *A Few Good Men* was completed, Sorkin resumed working on *Malice* right through the final shooting script. Harold Becker directed the 1993 thriller, which starred Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin. *Malice* had mixed reviews; Vincent Canby in *The New York Times* described the film as "deviously entertaining from its start through its finish". Critic Roger Ebert gave it 2 out of 4 stars, and Peter Travers in a 2000 *Rolling Stone* review summarized it as having "suspense but no staying power".

Sorkin's last screenplay under Castle Rock was *The American President;* once again he worked with William Goldman who served as a creative consultant. It took Sorkin several years to write the screenplay for *The American President*, which started off at 385-pages; it was eventually reduced to a standard shooting script of around 120 pages. The film, also directed by Reiner, was critically acclaimed; Kenneth Turan of the *Los Angeles Times* described it as "genial and entertaining if not notably inspired", and believed its most interesting aspects were the "pipe dreams about the American political system and where it could theoretically be headed". *A Few Good Men*, *Malice* and *The American President* grossed approximately $400 million worldwide.

In the second half of the 1990s, Sorkin worked as a script doctor. He wrote some quips for Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage in 1996's *The Rock*. He worked on *Excess Baggage*, a 1997 comedy about a girl who stages her own kidnapping to get her father's attention, and rewrote some of Will Smith's scenes in *Enemy of the State*. Sorkin collaborated with Warren Beatty on several scripts, one of which was 1998's *Bulworth*. Beatty, known for occasionally personally financing his film projects through pre-production, also hired Sorkin to rewrite a script titled *Ocean of Storms* which never went into production. At one point, Sorkin sued Beatty for proper compensation for his work on the *Ocean of Storms* script; once the matter was settled, he resumed working on the script.

### 1998–2006: Television series and theatre work

#### *Sports Night*

Sorkin conceived the idea to write about the behind-the-scenes happenings on a sports show while residing at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles writing the screenplay for *The American President*. He would work late, with the television tuned into ESPN, watching continuous replays of *SportsCenter*. The show inspired him to try to write a feature film about a sports show but he was unable to structure the story for film, so instead he turned his idea into a television comedy series. *Sports Night* was produced by Disney and debuted on the ABC network in fall of 1998.

Sorkin fought with ABC during the first season over the use of a laugh track and a live studio audience. The laugh track was widely decried by critics as jarring, with Joyce Millman of *Salon* magazine describing it as "the most unconvincing laugh track you've ever heard". Sorkin commented that: "Once you do shoot in front of a live audience, you have no choice but to use the laugh track. Oftentimes [enhancing the laughs] is the right thing to do. Sometimes you do need a cymbal crash. Other times, it alienates me." The laugh track was gradually dialed down and was removed by the end of the first season. Sorkin was triumphant in the second season when ABC agreed to his demands, unburdening the crew of the difficulties of staging a scene for a live audience and leaving the cast with more time to rehearse. Although *Sports Night* was critically acclaimed, ABC canceled the show after two seasons due to low ratings. Sorkin entertained offers to continue the show on other television channels, but declined all the offers because they were dependent on his involvement and he was already working on *The West Wing*.

#### *The West Wing*

Stockard Channing had done an episode of the show as the First Lady ... She took me out to lunch and said she really liked doing the show and wanted to do more and started asking me questions like, "Who do you think this character is?" And those aren't questions I can answer. [As a writer] I can only answer, what do they want?

—Sorkin on creating characters

Sorkin conceived the political drama *The West Wing* in 1997 when he went unprepared to a lunch with producer John Wells; in a panic he pitched to Wells a series centered on the senior staff of the White House, using leftover ideas from his script for *The American President*. He told Wells about his visits to the White House while doing research for *The American President*, and they found themselves discussing public service and the passion of the people who serve. Wells took the concept and pitched it to NBC, but was told to wait due to the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. There was a concern that television audiences would not be able to take a series about the White House seriously. A year later, other networks started showing interest in *The West Wing.* NBC decided to give the project the green-light despite their previous reluctance. The pilot debuted in the fall of 1999 and was produced by Warner Bros. Television.

*The West Wing* garnered nine Primetime Emmy Awards for its debut season, making the series a record holder for most Emmys won by a series in a single season at the time. Following the awards ceremony, there was a dispute about the acceptance speech for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. *The West Wing* episode "In Excelsis Deo" won, which was awarded to Sorkin and Rick Cleveland, but *The New York Times* reported that Sorkin ushered Cleveland off the stage before he could say a few words. The story behind "In Excelsis Deo" is based on Cleveland's father, a Korean War veteran who spent the last years of his life on the street, as Cleveland explained in an essay titled "I Was the Dumb Looking Guy with the Wire-Rimmed Glasses". Sorkin and Cleveland continued their dispute in a public web forum at Mighty Big TV in which Sorkin explained that he gives his writers "Story By" credit on a rotating basis "by way of a gratuity" and that he had thrown out Cleveland's script and started from scratch. Sorkin eventually apologized to Cleveland. Cleveland and Sorkin also won the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Drama at the 53rd Writer Guild of America Awards for "In Excelsis Deo".

In 2001, after completing the second season of *The West Wing*, Sorkin suffered a drug relapse, and was arrested at Hollywood Burbank Airport for possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana, and crack cocaine. He was ordered by a court to attend a drug diversion program. There was huge media interest but he did make a successful recovery. In 2002, Sorkin criticized NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw's television special about a day in the life of a president, "The Bush White House: Inside the Real West Wing", comparing it to the act of sending a valentine to President George W. Bush instead of real news reporting. *The West Wing* aired on the same network, and so at the request of NBC's Entertainment President Jeff Zucker, Sorkin apologized, but later said, "there should be a difference between what NBC News does and what *The West Wing* TV series does."

Sorkin wrote 87 screenplays for *The West Wing*, which is nearly every episode during the show's first four Emmy-winning seasons. Sorkin described his role in the creative process as "not so much [that of] a showrunner or a producer. I'm really a writer." He admitted that this approach can have its drawbacks, saying "Out of 88 [*West Wing*] episodes that I did we were on time and on budget never, not once." In 2003, at the end of the fourth season, Sorkin and fellow executive producer Thomas Schlamme left the show due to internal conflicts at Warner Bros. Television, causing John Wells to serve as showrunner. Sorkin never watched any episodes beyond his writing tenure apart from a minute of the fifth season's first episode, describing the experience as "like watching somebody make out with my girlfriend." Sorkin later returned in the series finale for a cameo appearance as a member of President Bartlet's staff.

#### *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip*

 File:Aaron Sorkin at the Music Box Theatre in 2007.jpg
In 2005, Sorkin returned to theatre; he revised his play *A Few Good Men* for a production at London's West End. The play opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in the fall of the same year and was directed by David Esbjornson, with Rob Lowe of *The West Wing* in the lead role. Sorkin told *The Charlie Rose Show* that he was developing a television series based on a late-night sketch comedy show similar to *Saturday Night Live*. In October 2005, a pilot script dubbed *Studio 7 on the Sunset Strip*, written by him and Schlamme as producer, started circulating in Hollywood and online. In that same month, NBC bought the rights from Warner Bros. Television to air the series on their network for a near-record license fee after a bidding war with CBS. The show's name was later changed to *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip*. Sorkin described the show as having "autobiographical elements" to it and "characters that are based on actual people" but said that it departs from those beginnings to look at the backstage maneuverings at a late night sketch comedy show.

On September 18, 2006, the pilot for *Studio 60* aired on NBC, directed by Schlamme. The pilot was critically acclaimed and viewed by an audience of over 12 million, but the show experienced a significant drop in viewership mid-season. Even before the first episode aired, there was a large amount of thoughtful and scrupulous criticism in the press, as well as negative analysis from bloggers. In January 2007, Sorkin spoke out against the press for reporting heavily on the low ratings, and for using blogs and unemployed comedy writers as sources. After two months hiatus, *Studio 60* resumed airing the last episodes of season one, which would be its only season.

#### *The Farnsworth Invention*

As early as 2003, Sorkin was writing a spec script about inventor Philo Farnsworth; he was approached by producer Fred Zollo in the 1990s about adapting Elma Farnsworth's memoir into a biographical film. The following year, he completed the film screenplay, *The Farnsworth Invention*, which was acquired by New Line Cinema with Schlamme as director. The story is about the patent battle between Farnsworth and RCA tycoon David Sarnoff for the technology that allowed the first television transmissions in the United States. No additional details were released about the film. Shortly, Sorkin was contacted by Jocelyn Clarke of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, requesting he write a play for them, a commission which he accepted. Sorkin decided to rewrite *The Farnsworth Invention* as a play. He delivered a first draft of the play to the Abbey Theatre in early 2005, and a production was planned for 2007 with La Jolla Playhouse deciding to stage a workshop production of the play in collaboration with the Abbey Theatre. In 2006, Abbey Theatre's new management quit involvement with *The Farnsworth Invention*. Despite this, La Jolla Playhouse carried on with Steven Spielberg serving as a producer. The production opened under La Jolla's signature Page To Stage program which allowed Sorkin and director Des McAnuff to develop the play from show-to-show according to audience reactions and feedback; the play ran from February 20, 2007 through March 25, 2007. A Broadway production followed soon after, beginning in previews, and opening on November 14, 2007; however, the play was delayed by the 2007 Broadway stagehand strike. *The Farnsworth Invention* eventually opened at the Music Box Theatre on December 3, 2007, and closed on March 2, 2008.

### 2007–2015: Return to film and *The Newsroom*

 File:Aaron Sorkin.jpg
In 2007, Sorkin was commissioned by Universal Pictures to adapt George Crile's non-fiction book *Charlie Wilson's War* for Tom Hanks' production company Playtone. The biographical comedy, *Charlie Wilson's War,* is about the colorful Texas congressman Charlie Wilson who funded the CIA's secret war against the former Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Directed by Mike Nichols, and written by Sorkin, the film was released in 2007 and starred Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film earned five nominations at the Golden Globes, including Best Screenplay for Sorkin.

In August 2008, Sorkin announced that he had agreed to write a script for Sony Pictures and producer Scott Rudin about the beginnings of Facebook. David Fincher's *The Social Network*, based on Ben Mezrich's novel *The Accidental Billionaires*, was released on October 1, 2010. It was a critical and commercial success; Sorkin won an Academy Award, BAFTA and a Golden Globe for the screenplay. A year later, Sorkin received nominations in the same award categories for co-writing *Moneyball*. It is based on Michael Lewis's 2003 non-fiction book of the same name, an account of the Oakland Athletics baseball team's 2002 season and their general manager Billy Beane's attempts to assemble a competitive team. The film was directed by Bennett Miller, and starred Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Peter Travers of *Rolling Stone* called the script "dynamite", in which Sorkin's "sharply witty touch is everywhere".

In 2011, Sorkin played himself on the series *30 Rock,* episode "Plan B", where he did a "walk and talk" with Liz Lemon played by Tina Fey. While still working on the screenplay for *The Social Network*, Sorkin was contemplating a television drama about the behind-the-scenes events at a cable news program. Talks had been ongoing between Sorkin and HBO since 2010. To research the news industry, Sorkin observed the production crew at MSNBC's *Countdown with Keith Olbermann*, and quizzed *Parker Spitzer*'s staff. He also spent time shadowing *Hardball with Chris Matthews,* as well as other programs on Fox News and CNN. Sorkin told *TV Guide* that he intended to take a less cynical view of the media: "They're going to be trying to do well in a context where it's very difficult to do well when there are commercial concerns and political concerns and corporate concerns." Sorkin decided that rather than have his characters react to fictional news events as on his earlier series, it would be set in the recent past and track real-world stories largely as they unfolded, to give a greater sense of realism.

[T]he trick is to follow the rules of classic storytelling. Drama is basically about one thing: Somebody wants something, and something or someone is standing in the way of him getting it. What he wants—the money, the girl, the ticket to Philadelphia—doesn't really matter. But whatever it is, the audience has to want it for him.

—Sorkin

HBO ordered a pilot episode in January 2011 with the working title *More as This Story Develops,* with Scott Rudin serving as an executive producer. In September, HBO ordered a 10-episode series of *The Newsroom* with a premiere date of June 2012. A day after the second episode aired, HBO renewed the series for a second season. Sorkin said *The Newsroom* "is meant to be an idealistic, romantic, swashbuckling, sometimes comedic but very optimistic, upward-looking look at a group of people who are often looked at cynically. The same as with *The West Wing*, where ordinarily in popular culture our leaders are portrayed either as Machiavellian or dumb; I wanted to do something different and show a highly competent group of people." The series concluded after its third season.

In 2015, Danny Boyle's biographical drama *Steve Jobs* was released. The screenplay by Sorkin was based on Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, and starred Michael Fassbender as Jobs, Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman, Jeff Daniels as John Sculley, and Seth Rogen as Steve Wozniak. Sorkin expressed hesitation for tackling the film, saying "it was a little like writing about the Beatles—that there are so many people out there who know so much about him [Jobs] and who revere him that I just saw a minefield of disappointment. [...] Hopefully, when I'm done with my research, I'll be in the same ball park of knowledge about Steve Jobs". He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay, although some journalists were surprised that he did not receive an Academy Award nomination in the same category. While the critic from *South China Morning Post* thought it was the best-written film of the year, Ashley Clark of *Little White Lies* magazine criticized the script for its "overly verbose dialogue".

### 2016–present: Venture into directing

In February 2016, it was announced that Sorkin would adapt Harper Lee's *To Kill a Mockingbird* for the stage, and work alongside Bartlett Sher. His Broadway adaptation opened on December 13, 2018 to positive reviews at the Shubert Theatre. Next, Sorkin made his directorial debut with *Molly's Game*, an adaptation of entrepreneur Molly Bloom's memoir. He also wrote the script for it, which starred Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba. Production began in 2016 and the film was released in December 2017 to mostly positive reviews; Sorkin received his third Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, *Molly's Game* garnered an approval rating of 81% based on 297 reviews, with an average rating of 7.07/10.

Sorkin told *Vanity Fair* in July 2020 that Steven Spielberg offered him a job in 2006 about "a movie about the riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention and the trial that followed". However, after meeting at Spielberg's home, Sorkin said, "I left not knowing what the hell he was talking about." On July 12, 2007, *Variety* magazine reported that Sorkin had signed a deal with DreamWorks to write three scripts. The first was *The Trial of the Chicago 7*, which Sorkin was already developing with Spielberg, and Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. In March 2010, Sorkin's agent, Ari Emanuel, had stated that the project was proving "tough to get together". In late July 2013, it was announced that Paul Greengrass would be directing, but Sorkin eventually both wrote and directed the film. Focusing on the Chicago Seven (and Bobby Seale), the film began a limited release on September 25, 2020, before streaming on Netflix. At the 78th Golden Globes, Sorkin won Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Director.

In September 2015, *Entertainment Weekly* reported that Sorkin was writing a biopic that will focus on the twenty-year marriage of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and their work together on *I Love Lucy* and *The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour*. Cate Blanchett was originally to star as Ball. In 2017, Amazon Studios acquired the rights to the film. In January 2021, it was announced that Blanchett had been replaced by Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem had been cast as Desi Arnaz in *Being the Ricardos*. Sorkin would direct the film.

## Prospective projects

In March 2007, it was reported that Sorkin had signed on to write a musical adaptation of the hit 2002 record *Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots* by psychedelic-rock band The Flaming Lips, collaborating with director Des McAnuff who had been developing the project. In August 2008, McAnuff announced that Sorkin had been commissioned by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to write an adaptation of Chekhov's *The Cherry Orchard*. In 2010, Sorkin reportedly obtained the film rights to Andrew Young's book *The Politician* (about Senator John Edwards), and announced that he would make his debut as a film director while adapting the book for the screen.

In November 2010, it was reported that Sorkin will write a musical based on the life of Houdini, with music by Danny Elfman. In January 2012, Stephen Schwartz was reported to be writing the music and lyrics, with Sorkin making his debut as a librettist. The musical was expected for release in 2013–14; Sorkin said: "The chance to collaborate with Stephen Schwartz [the director], Jack O'Brien, and Hugh Jackman on a new Broadway musical is a huge gift." In January 2013, he quit the project, citing film and television commitments.

In March 2016, it was announced that Sorkin would adapt *A Few Good Men* for a live production on NBC, originally slated to air in 2017; as of November 2017[update], "Sorkin is still mulling the project".

## Writing process and style

You almost never see how anyone travels from point A to point C [in most TV shows]. I wanted the audience to witness every journey these people took. It all had a purpose, even seeing them order lunch. It just seemed to be the proper visual rhythm with which to marry Aaron's words. I got lucky that it worked.

—Thomas Schlamme on the "walk and talk" device

Sorkin has written for the theater, film, and television, and in each medium his level of collaboration with other creators has varied. He began in theater, which involved a largely solitary writing process, then moved into film, where he collaborated with director Rob Reiner and screenwriter William Goldman, and eventually worked in television, where he collaborated very closely with director Thomas Schlamme for nearly a decade on the shows *Sports Night*, *The West Wing* and *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip*; he now moves between all three media. He has a habit of chain smoking while he spends countless hours cooped up in his office plotting out his next scripts. He describes his writing process as physical because he will often stand up and speak the dialogue he is developing.

Template:Paragraph break
A *New York Times* article by Peter de Jonge explained that "*The West Wing* is never plotted out for more than a few weeks ahead and has no major story lines", which De Jonge believed was because "with characters who have no flaws, it is impossible to give them significant arcs". Sorkin has stated: "I seldom plan ahead, not because I don't think it's good to plan ahead, there just isn't time." Sorkin has also said, "As a writer, I don't like to answer questions until the very moment that I have to." The *Seattle Post-Intelligencer*'s TV critic John Levesque has commented that Sorkin's writing process "can make for ill-advised plot developments". Further complicating the matter, in television, Sorkin will have a hand in writing every episode, rarely letting other writers earn full credit on a script. De Jonge reported that ex-writers of *The West Wing* have claimed that "even by the spotlight-hogging standards of Hollywood, Sorkin has been exceptionally ungenerous in his sharing of writing credit". In a comment to *GQ* magazine in 2008, Sorkin said, "I'm helped by a staff of people who have great ideas, but the scripts aren't written by committee."

Sorkin's long-term collaboration with Schlamme began in early 1998 when they found they shared common creative ground on the soon to be produced *Sports Night*. Their successful partnership in television is one in which Sorkin focuses on writing the scripts while Schlamme executive produces and occasionally directs; they have worked together on *Sports Night*, *The West Wing*, and *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip*. Schlamme will create the look of the shows, work with the other directors, discuss the scripts with Sorkin as soon as they are turned in, make design and casting decisions, and attend the budget meetings; Sorkin tends to stick strictly to writing. In response to what he perceived as unfair criticism of *The Newsroom*, Jacob Drum of *Digital Americana* wrote, "The essential truth that the critics miss is that *The Newsroom* is Sorkin being Sorkin as he always has been and always will be: one part pioneer; one part self-conscious romantic; two parts actual Lewis & Clark-style pioneer, trapping his way across an old, old idea of an America that can always stand to raise its game—but most importantly, spinning a good yarn while he does so."

Sorkin is known for writing memorable lines and fast-paced dialogue, such as "You can't handle the truth!" from *A Few Good Men* and the partly Latin tirade against God in *The West Wing* episode "Two Cathedrals". For television, one hallmark of Sorkin's writer's voice is the repartee that his characters engage in as they small talk and banter about whimsical events taking place within an episode, and interject obscure popular culture references into conversation. Although his scripts are lauded for being literate, Sorkin has been criticized for often turning in scripts that are overwrought. His mentor William Goldman has commented that normally in visual media speeches are avoided, but that Sorkin has a talent for dialogue and gets away with breaking this rule.

In August 2016, Sorkin launched a screenwriting course on MasterClass. The course includes dialogue, character development, story pacing, plot, and his process of working. Students can watch videos, download workbooks, and share their observations and progress through discussion boards and social media groups.

## Personal life

 File:Obama Fundraiser @ Fine Arts Theatre.jpg
Sorkin married Julia Bingham in 1996 and divorced in 2005, with his workaholic habits and drug abuse reported to be a partial cause. Sorkin and Bingham have one daughter, Roxy. He dated Kristin Chenoweth for several years, who played Annabeth Schott on *The West Wing* (after Sorkin had left the show). He has also reportedly dated columnist Maureen Dowd and actress Kristin Davis. In 2021, Sorkin and Paulina Porizkova dated for a few months.

A consistent supporter of the Democratic Party, Sorkin has made substantial political campaign contributions to candidates between 1999 and 2011, according to CampaignMoney.com. During the 2004 US presidential election campaign, the liberal advocacy group MoveOn's political action committee enlisted Sorkin and Rob Reiner to create one of their anti-Bush campaign advertisements. In August 2008, Sorkin was involved in a Generation Obama event at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, California, participating in a panel discussion subsequent to a screening of Frank Capra's *Mr. Smith Goes to Washington*. However, Sorkin does not consider himself a political activist: "I've met political activists, and they're for real. I've never marched anyplace or done anything that takes more effort than writing a check in terms of activism". In 2016, after President Donald Trump won the election, Sorkin wrote an open letter to his daughter Roxy and her mother Julia.

In 1987, Sorkin started using marijuana and cocaine. He said cocaine gave him relief from certain nervous tensions that occur on a regular basis. In 1995, he sought rehabilitation at the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota, on the advice of Bingham to combat his addiction. In early 2001, Sorkin and his colleagues John Spencer and Martin Sheen received the Phoenix Rising Award for overcoming their drug abuse. However, on April 15, 2001, Sorkin was arrested when security guards at Hollywood Burbank Airport found hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana, and crack cocaine in his carry-on bag, and a metal crack pipe was detected by a magnetometer. He was court-ordered to a drug diversion program, while still working on *The West Wing*. In a commencement speech for Syracuse University on May 13, 2012, Sorkin said he has not used cocaine for eleven years.

## Awards and nominations

Sorkin has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the following films:

* 83rd Academy Awards (2011): Best Adapted Screenplay, **win** *The Social Network*
* 84th Academy Awards (2012): Best Adapted Screenplay, nomination, *Moneyball*
* 90th Academy Awards (2017): Best Adapted Screenplay, nomination, *Molly's Game*
* 93rd Academy Awards (2020): Best Original Screenplay, nomination, *The Trial of the Chicago 7*

Sorkin has received nine Golden Globe Award nominations winning three times for Best Screenplay for *The Social Network* (2011), *Steve Jobs* (2015), and *The Trial of the Chicago Seven* (2020). He has also received five British Academy Film Awards nominations winning for *The Social Network*. He has also received fourteen Writers Guild of America Award nominations winning twice for *The West Wing*, and *The Social Network*. He has received seven Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations winning consecutively for Best Screenplay for *The Social Network* and *Moneyball*.

For his work on television Sorkin has received nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations winning five awards for Outstanding Drama Series for *The West Wing* in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. He also won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for *The West Wing* episode: "In Excelsis Deo" in 2000.

## References

1. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Jason Buchanan (2014). "Aaron Sorkin biography". *The New York Times*. Baseline. All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2012. Born: June 9, 1961
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Levesque, John (March 7, 2000). "Aaron Sorkin is a man of many words". *Seattle Post-Intelligencer*. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2007.
3. ↑ Berrin, Danielle. Jewish Journal: "A small glimpse into Aaron Sorkin’s Jewish story" by Danielle Berrin Template:Webarchive July 17, 2012 | "*I'm Jewish but have never had any religious training. I never went to Hebrew school."*
4. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Gross, Terry (July 16, 2012). "Aaron Sorkin: The Writer Behind 'The Newsroom'". *NPR*. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018. Aaron Sorkin: "I'm Jewish"
5. ↑ Lipman, Jennifer (November 26, 2015). Why Aaron Sorkin is cinema's finest talent. *The Jewish Chronicle*. "Sorkin, who comes from a middle-class Jewish family from Scarsdale"
6. ↑ Cleveland Jewish News: "The 30-plus most influential Jews in America" Template:Webarchive December 27, 2001
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Jones, Oliver (May 28, 2001). "A Troubled Genius". *Us Weekly*. Archived from the original on November 3, 2004. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>De Jonge, Peter (October 28, 2001). "Aaron Sorkin Works His Way Through the Crisis". *The New York Times Magazine*. Archived from the original on June 23, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
9. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Josef Adalian; Michael Schneider (July 26, 2000). "Sorkin to nest at WBTV". *Variety*. Retrieved September 26, 2008. Sorkin's association with Warner Bros. follows in the footsteps of his father Bernard, a New York–based copyright expert who started with the studio 40 years ago when it was Warner Bros.-7 Arts.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Parker/Spitzer Interview Aaron Sorkin (video: 3:05 – father: WWII vet & college on G.I. Bill)". *CNN*. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
11. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Simpson, David (November 10, 2010). "Awards Watch Roundtable: The Writers part 3 video series". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
12. ↑ Buchanan, Kyle (2010-11-11). Aaron Sorkin's Four Big Problems With the WGA. *New York*.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Weber, Bruce (November 4, 2007). "Prodigal Returns, Bearing Dialogue". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2014. I've been healthy for six and a half years," he said. "But like any addict I'm one phone call away from that not being true.
14. ↑ Willcox, Kathleen (May 23, 2011). Aaron Sorkin to Revisit Scarsdale's 'Social Network'.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Template:Cite journal
16. ↑ Banerjee, Debra (June 6, 2011). Scarsdale turns out to hear Aaron Sorkin.
17. ↑ Aaron Sorkin (SHS 1979). Scarsdale Alumni Association.
18. ↑ Frank Harold Trevor Rhodes (October 2001). *The Creation of the Future: The Role of the American University*. Cornell University Press. pp. 75–76. ISBN 978-0-8014-3937-7.
19. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Vitello, Paul (March 10, 2013). "Arthur Storch, Stage Director, Dies at 87". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
20. ↑ Ernio Hernandez. Encounter with Peter Krause. *Playbill*.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Weiss (December 2003). Three days, 15 seminars, one great experience.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Gussow, Mel (March 28, 1990). "Review/Theater; 'Making Movies,' a Satire Of the Celluloid World". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
23. ↑ Glaberson, William (September 15, 2011). 4 lawyers claim to be the hero in a few good men. *The New York Times*.
24. ↑ A Few Good Men London theatre tickets and information.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Template:Cite interview
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Prigge, Steven (October 2004). *Movie Moguls Speak: Interviews with Top Film Producers*. McFarland & Company. pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0-7864-1929-6.
27. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Henry III, William A. (November 27, 1989). "Marine Life". *Time*. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
28. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Hernandez, Ernio (June 18, 2004). "Aaron Sorkin Working on A Few Good Men for London and New Play for Dublin's Abbey". *Playbill*. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2007.
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Weinraub, Bernard (December 6, 1992). "Rob Reiner's March To 'A Few Good Men'". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
30. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Goldstein, Patrick (October 10, 1999). "On a Wing and a Prayer". *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
31. ↑ Template:Cite interview
32. ↑ Buchanan. Aaron Sorkin Biography.
33. ↑ A Few Good Men.
34. ↑ Sharf, Zack (2017-11-09). Aaron Sorkin Was Pushed to Write a 'Steamy' Sexy Scene for Nicole Kidman in 'Malice' and Refused (en).
35. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Canby, Vincent (October 1, 1993). "Reviews/ Film; An Idyll Shattered By Rape and Murder". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
36. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Ebert, Roger (October 1, 1993). "Malice". *Chicago Sun-Times*. Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
37. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Travers, Peter (December 8, 2000). "*Malice*". *Rolling Stone*. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011. *Malice* is way out of that classy league. It's got suspense but no staying power.
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Forrest, Emma (May 2, 2002). "Words fly down the halls of power". *The Age*. Melbourne. Archived from the original on January 18, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
39. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Turan, Kenneth (November 17, 1995). "*The American President*: Boy Meets Girl, Brings Along Secret Service 'The American President' is a sentimental fantasy, mixing romance". *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Sorkin, Aaron (July 2002). *The West Wing Script Book*. Newmarket Press. ISBN 978-1-55704-549-2.
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Bart, Peter (February 21, 2000). *The Gross: The Hits, the Flops: The Summer That Ate Hollywood*. St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-0-312-25391-2.
42. ↑ Template:Cite journal
43. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Petrikin, Chris (September 1, 1997). "Beatty's bete noir? scribe makes waves over 'Ocean.'". *Variety*.
44. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Goldstein, Patrick (May 3, 1998). "Hanging With Warren B". *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5 Interview with Aaron Sorkin: Creator and Executive Producer of "Sports Night" and "The West Wing". Comedy Central.com (January 1, 2001).
46. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Levesque, John (October 13, 1998). "Quality of 'Sports Night' no Laughing Matter". *Seattle Post-Intelligencer*.
47. ↑ Jeff Merron (November 12, 2002). Keeping it real on 'Sports Night'. *ESPN*.
48. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Richard Firstman. "Their Championship Season: In the Dugout with the MVPs of Sports Night". *TV Guide*. Archived from the original on June 21, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Bark, Ed (March 10, 1999). "Huffman is game for 'Sports Night', but is ABC?". *Dallas Morning News*. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2007.
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Flint, Joe (September 25, 1998). "A Laugh Riot". *Entertainment Weekly*. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
51. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Millman, Joyce (February 22, 1999). "Why are "Dilbert" and "Sports Night" like a day at the office? Because watching them is a grind". *Salon*. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
52. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Owen, Rob (March 18, 1999). "Redundant 'Sports Night' loses its momentum". *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*. PG Publishing. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
53. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Owen, Rob (October 1, 2000). "Networks are slower to cancel TV series, but viewers are still wary". *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*. PG Publishing. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
54. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Rosenberg, Howard (December 6, 1999). "News at 9:30: Reprieve for Witty 'Sports Night'". *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Interview with Aaron Sorkin. *On Writing Magazine, Issue 18*. The Writers Guild of America, East, Inc. (February 2003).
56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 Miller (March 1, 2000). The Real White House. Brill's Content.
57. ↑ Pilot episode. The West Wing Episode Guide.
58. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"West Wing ends seven-year TV run". *BBC News Online*. May 15, 2006. Archived from the original on May 12, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
59. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Weinraub, Bernard (June 26, 2001). "'West Wing' Producer, a Union Leader, Rules Out Writers' Raises". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
60. ↑ Cleveland. I Was the Dumb Looking Guy with the Wire-Rimmed Glasses.
61. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Kaus, Mickey (July 3, 2001). "West Wing Web War!". *Slate.com*. Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. Retrieved January 17, 2007.
62. ↑ In Excelsis Deo. The West Wing Episode Guide.
63. ↑ Writers Guild Awards Winners. WGA (2010).
64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Aaron Sorkin Says He Used Drugs". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
65. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Friend, Tad (February 25, 2002). "West Wing Watch: Snookered by Bush". *The New Yorker*. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
66. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Elber, Lynn (March 5, 2002). "'West Wing' Creator Defends Comments". *Midland Daily News*. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
67. ↑ Dickenson, Ben (March 3, 2006). *Hollywood's New Radicalism: War, Globalisation and the Movies from Reagan to George W. Bush*. I. B. Tauris. pp. 111–112. ISBN 978-1-84511-103-8. https://archive.org/details/hollywoodsnewrad00dick.
68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Richmond, Ray (May 12, 2006). "Finale: 'West Wing'". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
69. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Adalian, Josef (May 1, 2003). "Sorkin sulking away from 'Wing'". *Variety*. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
70. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Wallenstein, Andrew (October 15, 2005). "Sorkin back at NBC with 'Studio' deal NBC gets Sorkin show". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Harris, Mark (June 16, 2012). "TV's Best Talker: Aaron Sorkin on The Newsroom, Sorkinism, and Sounding Smart". *Vulture*. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
72. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fleming, Michael (April 24, 2005). "West End boys club". *Variety*. Retrieved January 10, 2007.
73. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Scott Hettrick (September 11, 2003). "Inside Move: Sorkin scripting play, pic". *Variety*. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
74. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Adalian, Josef (October 14, 2005). "Peacock on 'Studio' beat". *Variety*. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
75. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Young, Kevin (August 27, 2006). "Sorkin turns his attention to TV". *BBC News Online*. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
76. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Goldstein, Patrick (July 17, 2007). "Sorkin takes the blame for '60'". *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Ryan, Maureen (January 19, 2007). "Aaron Sorkin speaks about 'Studio 60,' the press and those pesky bloggers". *Chicago Tribune*. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
78. ↑ Ayers, Mike (2012-03-21). Amanda Peet returns to television.
79. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Archerd, Army (October 29, 2003). "Inside 'The Alamo'". *Variety*. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
80. ↑ Template:Cite press release
81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fricker, Karen (February 5, 2006). "'Farnsworth' fumble: Abbey drops ball on Sorkin commission". *Variety*. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
82. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Carter, Bill (September 11, 2006). "'West Wing' to West Coast: TV's Auteur Portrays TV". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2017. Mr. Sorkin's new play, "The Farnsworth Invention," based on the struggle of Philo T. Farnsworth to win recognition for his invention—television again—will begin rehearsals at the La Jolla Playhouse. Steven Spielberg is making his theatrical producing debut.
83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>BWW News Desk (December 15, 2006). "Sorkin and McAnuff Collaborate on LaJolla's 'Invention'". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2007.
84. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>BWW News Desk (July 25, 2007). "Azaria & Simpson Set for Farnsworth Invention; Opens 11/14". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
85. ↑ Aaron Sorkin's Farnsworth Invention to Open on Broadway in November. *Playbill* (June 21, 2007).
86. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Cox, Gordon (November 10, 2007). "'Invention' sparks reinvention: Sorkin's former movie pitch hits Broadway". *Variety*. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
87. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Gans, Andrew (November 28, 2007). "It's Over! Labor Dispute Resolved as Stagehands Strike Ends". *Playbill*. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
88. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Gans, Andrew; Hernandez, Ernio (March 2, 2008). "Farnsworth Invention Ends Broadway Run March 2". *Playbill*. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009.
89. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fleming, Michael (June 17, 2004). "Sorkin goes from White House to front line: Playtone partners Hanks, Goetzman to produce 'War'". *Variety*. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
90. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fleming, Michael (July 20, 2003). "Playtone goes to 'War' with U: Hanks to play former Texas congressman Wilson". *Variety*. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
91. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Martin A., Grove (January 12, 2007). "Holiday weekends will drive 2007 boxoffice". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
92. ↑ Winners & Nominees 2008 (en).
93. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Guynn, Jessica (August 28, 2008). "Coming soon: 'Facebook: The Movie'?". *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
94. ↑ The 83rd Academy Awards | 2011 (en).
95. ↑ 2011 Film Adapted Screenplay | BAFTA Awards.
96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 Aaron Sorkin (en).
97. ↑ The 84th Academy Awards | 2012 (en).
98. ↑ 2012 Film Adapted Screenplay | BAFTA Awards.
99. ↑ Travers, Peter (2011-09-22). Moneyball (en-US).
100. ↑ Forcella, Dan (2011-03-18). 30 Rock Review: "Queen of Jordan" (en).
101. ↑ Rice, Lynette (April 10, 2009). Aaron Sorkin: Come back to TV!. *Entertainment Weekly*.
102. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (January 23, 2011). Aaron Sorkin's Cable News Network Project Awaits Greenlight At HBO.
103. ↑ Weprin, Alex (January 24, 2011). Aaron Sorkin's Next TV Show Tackling Cable News. TV Newser.
104. ↑ 104.0 104.1 Andreeva, Nellie (January 28, 2011). Aaron Sorkin's Cable News Drama Is A Go At HBO With Pilot Order, Scott Rudin Producing.
105. ↑ Huver, Scott (February 1, 2011). Aaron Sorkin Teases Details on His New HBO Pilot. *TV Guide*.
106. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (June 19, 2012). *The Newsroom* creator Aaron Sorkin on Keith Olbermann and his return to TV. HitFix.
107. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Christine Canabou; Pamela Kruger; Cathy Olofson (May 2001). "What's on Your Agenda?: Ten senior executives and thinkers explain the most crucial item on their leadership agenda". *Fast Company*. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
108. ↑ Hibberd, James (September 8, 2011). Aaron Sorkin's HBO cable news drama ordered to series. *Entertainment Weekly*.
109. ↑ Zakarin, Jordan (September 8, 2011). Aaron Sorkin HBO Cable News Pilot Ordered To Series. *The Huffington Post*.
110. ↑ Hibberd, James (December 14, 2011). Jane Fonda joins Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama. *Entertainment Weekly*.
111. ↑ Rice, Lynette (July 2, 2012). Breaking: HBO renews 'Newsroom,' 'True Blood'. *Entertainment Weekly*.
112. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 21, 2012). *The Newsroom*'s' Aaron Sorkin on Idealism, Keith Olbermann and His Private Screening for the Media Elite. *The Hollywood Reporter*.
113. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Kit, Borys (May 15, 2012). "Aaron Sorkin to Write 'Steve Jobs' Movie for Sony". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
114. ↑ WSJDigitalNetwork (May 30, 2012). Aaron Sorkin Talks Steve Jobs Movie, His Digital Life and His New Show "The Newsroom" (Video upload). *YouTube*. Google, Inc.
115. ↑ Golden Globes 2016 winners list: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant, Brie Larson & more.
116. ↑ Oscar nominations 2016: the 7 most surprising snubs of this year's awards.
117. ↑ Mottram, James (2016-01-11). Film review: Steve Jobs - Danny Boyle's biopic of Apple genius a game-changer (en).
118. ↑ Clark, Ashley (2015-11-11). Steve Jobs (en).
119. ↑ Aaron Sorkin and Bartlett Sher Adapt 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to the Stage (February 12, 2016).
120. ↑ To Kill A Mockingbird. *Playbill Template:Webarchive*, July 1, 2018
121. ↑ McPhee, Ryan (December 13, 2018). Read the Reviews for Broadway's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
122. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Kit, Borys (January 7, 2016). "Aaron Sorkin to Make Directorial Debut With Underground Poker Drama 'Molly's Game'". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
123. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (May 6, 2016). Idris Elba Just Upped Ante Of Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' Ahead Of Cannes.
124. ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 6, 2016). Idris Elba in Talks to Join Jessica Chastain in Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' (EXCLUSIVE).
125. ↑ Seetoodeh, Ramin (May 13, 2016). Cannes: Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' Nears $9 Million Deal With STX.
126. ↑ Principal photography begins on Aaron Sorkin's Molly's Game starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba (November 9, 2016).
127. ↑ The 90th Academy Awards | 2018 (en).
128. ↑ Template:Citation
129. ↑ 129.0 129.1 Ansen, David (July 22, 2020). First Look at Aaron Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7.
130. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Michael Fleming; Pamela McClintock (July 12, 2007). "Sorkin on 'Trial' at DreamWorks: Duo to team on possible Spielberg project". *Variety*. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
131. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Sabbagh, Dan (March 17, 2011). "Natalie Portman sparks Hollywood battle". *The Guardian*. London. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
132. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Ford, Rebecca (July 23, 2013). "Paul Greengrass in Talks for Aaron Sorkin-Penned 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
133. ↑ Kroll, Justin (26 October 2018). Aaron Sorkin to Direct 'Trial of the Chicago 7' With Sacha Baron Cohen in Talks to Star.
134. ↑ Beresford, Trilby (2020-05-01). Latest 'Transformers' Lands 2022 Release Date | Hollywood Reporter.
135. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Golden Globes 2021: The winners and nominees in full". *BBC News*. February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
136. ↑ Cate Blanchett to star in Lucille Ball biopic written by Aaron Sorkin (2015-09-02).
137. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 7, 2017). "Amazon Studios Boards Lucy And Desi: Aaron Sorkin Scripting, Cate Blanchett To Play Lucille Ball". *Deadline Hollywood*. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
138. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (January 11, 2021). Nicole Kidman Replaces Cate Blanchett as Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin's Amazon Biopic 'Being the Ricardos'. *IndieWire*.
139. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Endelman, Michael (March 20, 2007). "Sorkin Will Script Flaming Lips Musical". *Entertainment Weekly*. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2007.
140. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Cox, Gordon (August 13, 2006). "McAnuff tries northern exposure: After B'way boom, helmer sets sights on Shakespeare". *Variety*. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
141. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Cox, Gordon (June 24, 2007). "Sorkin eyes Lips show: Writer mulls 'Yoshimi' musical". *Variety*. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
142. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Ouzounian, Richard (August 19, 2008). "Top talent in place at Stratford for 2009". *Toronto Star*. Archived from the original on September 4, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
143. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Marino, Mark (July 16, 2010). "'West Wing' creator takes on John Edwards". CNN. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
144. ↑ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (November 2, 2010). Aaron Sorkin writing Hugh Jackman's Houdini musical: Composer Danny Elfman has 'high hopes'. *Entertainment Weekly*.
145. ↑ Potts, Kimberly (2012-01-04). Hugh Jackman, Aaron Sorkin Teaming for 'Houdini' Musical.
146. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Couch, Aaron (January 30, 2013). "Aaron Sorkin Exits Broadway Musical About Houdini". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
147. ↑ Kissell, Rick (2016-03-30). NBC Sets Live Production of Aaron Sorkin's 'A Few Good Men' for 2017.
148. ↑ Rose, Lacey (2017-11-19). Aaron Sorkin Goes Off Script: Fears, the Critics and His Private Battles Behind 'Molly's Game'.
149. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Rapkin, Mickey (August 12, 2008). "Why Does Aaron Sorkin Feel So Guilty?". *GQ*. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
150. ↑ Elif Cercel (November 11, 1999). Interview with Thomas Schlamme, Director and Executive Producer, "Sports Night". *Directors World*.
151. ↑ The Digital Americana Wall. thedigitalamericana.com.
152. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"West Wing votes in new writers". *BBC News Online*. July 25, 2003. Archived from the original on December 11, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
153. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Berardinelli, James (1993). "Malice: A Film Review". Reelviews.net. Archived from the original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2007.
154. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Holmes, Linda (November 26, 2006). "'Studio 60' doesn't take comedy seriously: Show's flailing by focusing on issues, not craziness of the writers' room". mbnbc.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
155. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Alexander, Iain (July 19, 2016). "Aaron Sorkin is going to become your screenwriting teacher". Film Industry Network. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
156. ↑ Spangler (June 22, 2016). Aaron Sorkin to Teach Online Course on Screenwriting. *Variety*.
157. ↑ 157.0 157.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Rayner, Jay (July 10, 2005). "Wing and a prayer". *The Guardian*. London. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
158. ↑ 158.0 158.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Gumbel, Andrew (October 22, 2005). "After the West Wing..." *The Independent*. London. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
159. ↑ Sources: Kristin Davis Dating Oscar-Winning Writer Aaron Sorkin (May 23, 2012).
160. ↑ Chenoweth, Kristin (2009). *A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages*. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4165-8055-3.
161. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Kurtz, Howard (November 5, 2005). "Sex & the Single Stiletto". *The Washington Post*. Archived from the original on July 26, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
162. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Chen, Joyce (June 21, 2012). "Kristin Davis, Aaron Sorkin kiss on red carpet, glow with love as they confirm romance". *Daily News*. New York. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
163. ↑ D'Zurilla, Christie (April 25, 2021). Oscars 2021: Aaron Sorkin, Paulina Porizkova make it red carpet official as a couple. *Los Angeles Times*.
164. ↑ Ross, Martha (July 20, 2021). Paulina Porizkova splits from ‘funny and sexy’ Aaron Sorkin: ‘We’re a duck and a goose’.
165. ↑ Aaron Sorkin Biography and Political Campaign Contributions. CampaignMoney.com.
166. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Cooper, Matthew (July 3, 2004). "I'm Rob Reiner, and I Approve this Message". *Time*. Archived from the original on August 29, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2007.
167. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Johnson, Ted (August 28, 2008). "Obama's fresh Hollywood faces: Hollywood team: Vitality and donations". *Variety*. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
168. ↑ Sorkin, Aaron. Read the Letter Aaron Sorkin Wrote His Daughter After Donald Trump Was Elected President.
169. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Rayner, Jay (July 31, 2005). "West Wing creator brings his play to West End". *The Guardian*. London. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
170. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Cieply, Michael (September 2001). "The Crack-Up". *Talk magazine*.
171. ↑ Syracuse (May 14, 2012). Aaron Sorkin's Commencement Speech - 13 May 2012 (Video upload). *YouTube*. Google, Inc.
172. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Mel Gussow (August 24, 1988). "Review/Theater; Three Plays on Desire". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
173. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Frank Rich (November 16, 1989). "Review/Theater; Honor, Bullying and Conformity in the Trial in 'A Few Good Men'". *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2007.

## Further reading

* Aaron Sorkin (July 2002). *The West Wing Script Book*. Newmarket Press. ISBN 978-1-55704-549-2.
* Aaron Sorkin (February 2004). *The West Wing Seasons 3 & 4: The Shooting Scripts: Eight Teleplays*. Newmarket Press. ISBN 978-1-55704-612-3. https://archive.org/details/westwingseasons30000sork.
* Interview with Aaron Sorkin. *On Writing Magazine, Issue 18*. The Writers Guild of America, East, Inc. (February 2003).
* Aaron Sorkin. Early draft of the *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip* pilot script.
* Template:Cite video
* Template:Cite podcast

## External links

Template:Wikiquote

* Aaron Sorkin at IMDb
* Aaron Sorkin at Moviefone
* Template:Rotten Tomatoes person
* Blog Entries by Aaron Sorkin at *HuffPost*
* Template:Guardian topic
* Template:NYTtopic
* Template:Worldcat id

Template:Authority control