Ring Lardner Jr.

Ring Lardner Jr. was an influential American screenwriter and novelist, active mainly in the mid-20th century. He is best known for his work in Hollywood, earning an Academy Award for the screenplay of *M*A*S*H* in 1970. A member of the Communist Party, he faced blacklisting during the McCarthy era, which hindered his career temporarily. Lardner Jr. was also a writer of sharp, insightful stories and essays that often critiqued social issues. His contributions helped shape American film and literature, highlighting themes of social justice and human struggle.