Judi Ann Mason | |
---|---|
Born |
Bossier City, Louisiana, United States |
February 2, 1955
Died | July 8, 2009 Los Angeles, California, USA |
(aged 54)
Occupation | Author, playwright, Producer, Film executive |
Nationality | United States |
Alma mater | Grambling State University |
Information | |
Period | 1975-2009 |
Debut works | Livin' Fat |
Notable work(s) | Livin' Fat, A Star Ain't Nothin' But a Hole in Heaven, The Cornbread Man |
Awards | Norman Lear Award for Comedy Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award |
Judi Ann Mason (February 2, 1955 – July 8, 2009) was an American television writer, producer and playwright.
Mason was born in Bossier City, Louisiana on February 2, 1955. She excelled in English and became interested in playwrighting while in high school. Her professional writing career began while a drama student at Grambling State University.
While attending Grambling, she won the Norman Lear Award for comedy writing from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for her play, Livin’ Fat. The following year she won the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award for A Star Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hole In Heaven. The New York Times said that Mason had created "captivating characters" in her play, but that she had forfeited letting main character Pokie face the decision between romance and a better life, when the character's boyfriend ends up joining the war in Vietnam. She was named one of Glamour Magazines' Top Ten College women in 1977 alongside her friend actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph. Mason also taught playwriting and screenwriting at a number of colleges and universities for over twenty years. Her last school was Columbia College of Hollywood where she taught screenwriting for the past three years. Mason began her professional writing career in New York city where she was a member of the NEC (Negro Ensemble Company).
Her television writing credits include Good Times, Sanford and Son, A Different World, Beverly Hills, 90210, I'll Fly Away, American Gothic,Generations, and Guiding Light. Her film credits include Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. She is also renowned for the Emmy Award/CableACE Award nominated Sophie And The Moonhanger. Her stageplay credits include The Cornbread Man and Indigo Blues.