Ernest Thompson

For other people named Ernest Thompson, seeErnest Thompson (disambiguation).

Ernest Thompson
(2015)
Born	(1949-11-06)November 6, 1949 Bellows Falls, Vermont

Ernest Thompson(bornRichard Ernest Thompson;November 6, 1949) is an American writer, actor, and director. He won anAcademy Award for Best Adapted ScreenplayforOn Golden Pond,an adaptation of his ownplay of the same name.

Early life

Thompson was born as Richard Ernest Thompson inBellows Falls, Vermontto parents Theron and Esther Thompson.He spent his early years in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, moving to Maryland as a junior high school student. He attended theUniversity of MarylandandThe Catholic University of America,before ultimately graduating cum laude fromAmerican Universityin 1971.

Career

Thompson is best known as the author of the playOn Golden Pond,which he wrote at the age of 28. The play opened off-Broadway in 1978, starringTom AldredgeandFrances Sternhagen.A great success at theKennedy Center,it opened at the New Apollo Theater on Broadway February 28, 1979. Revived the following season at the Century Theatre,On Golden Pondran for more than 400 performances. It became a hit1981 film,starringKatharine HepburnandHenry Fonda.Thompson won theAcademy AwardforBest Adapted Screenplayin 1981 as well as awards from theGolden Globesand theWriters Guild of America.

The West Side Waltz,Thompson’s second popular play, opened on Broadway, starring Katharine Hepburn on November 19, 1981. Thompson is quoted as saying thatThe West Side Waltzcame about after a telephone call he received on behalf of screenwriterGeorge Seaton,creator of movies such asMiracle on 34th Street,offering Thompson "the only George Seaton grant" to write a new play for the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Thompson wrote and directed a television version based on the play, premiering on Thanksgiving night 1995, starringShirley MacLaine,Liza Minnelli,Kathy Bates,andJennifer Grey.

Thompson (left) onWestside Medicalin 1977

As an actor, Thompson's only Broadway appearance was as drifter Hal Carter inSummer Brave,William Inge's revised version of his playPicnic.He portrayed Ranger Matt Harper on NBC’s 1974 seriesSierraand Dr. Phil Parker on ABC'sWestside Medical.He appeared on the NBC soap operaSomersetas Tony Cooper, son of Rex and Laura Cooper, and in the television filmsThe Rimers of EldritchandF. Scott Fitzgerald and The Last of the Belles.Other acting credits include roles in theBob FossemovieStar 80andNext Stop Wonderland,directed byBrad Anderson.

Thompson wrote the screenplay for the feature filmSweet Hearts Dance,directed byRobert Greenwaldand starringSusan SarandonandDon Johnson.He directed1969,starringKiefer Sutherland,Robert Downey, Jr.,andWinona Ryder.

During the 1990s, Thompson wrote the television filmTake Me Home Again(released on DVD asThe Lies Boys Tell) in 1994, based on the novel by Lamar Herrin, starringKirk DouglasandCraig T. Nelson,in which Thompson also appeared. He directed and acted oppositeShirley MacLaineandJennifer GreyinThe West Side Waltzand co-wrote and directed the Emmy-nominated movieOut of Time,starringJames McDanielandMel Harris.

In 2000, Thompson directedThe Penis Responds,withRichard Gilliland,as a "lighthearted" answer toThe Vagina Monologues.In 2001, he directed his own live TV version ofOn Golden Pond,starringJulie AndrewsandChristopher Plummer.His playWhite People Christmasplayed at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles, directed by Thompson.

Personal life

In 1991 his son August was born. In 1993, Thompson married Kristie Lanier at his home in New Hampshire, where he raised daughters Heather and Danielle. Thompson and Lanier later divorced. On Christmas Day in 2012, he married Kerrin (Rocha) Adrian.

Thompson lives most of the year in New Hampton, New Hampshire(very close to whereOn Golden Pondwas filmed). In 2008, Thompson co-founded Whitebridge Farm Productions with partners Morgan Murphy and Lori Gigliotti-Murphy. He wrote, directed and starred in the company's first two movies,Heavenly AngleandTime and Charges,both of which were primarily filmed in the Granite State and offered by Whitebridge Farm Productions.

External links

• Ernest Thompson's official website
• Ernest ThompsonatIMDb