Screenwriter, Playwright. Born John Lloyd Balderston, he began his career as a journalist around 1912 while still a student at Columbia University. During World War I he was European war correspondent for a newspaper syndicate. After the war he stayed in Europe, working as a foreign correspondent, editor for the Outlook magazine and finally head of the London bureau of the New York World. In 1926 he had his first success as a playwright with the London production of “Berkeley Square”. He then revised the theatre adaptation of Bram Stokers “Dracula” for the Broadway stage, thus forming the basis for the 1931 film version, leading him into a solid screenwriting career. Twice nominated for an Academy Award (for “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer” (1935) and “Gaslight” (1944)), his other film credits include “The Mummy” (1932), “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), “The Last of the Mohicans” (1936), “The Prisoner of Zenda” (1937) and “Stand by for Action” (1942). He was also one of many collaborators on the film adaptation of “Gone with the Wind”. He died from a heart attack. After service and cremation at Inglewood Park Cemetery he was buried in the same place where more than 45 of his ancestors were laid to rest. (bio by: Fritz Tauber)