Philip G. Epstein (1909–1952)

Philip G. Epstein and his twin brother Julius J. were born to a Jewish family on the Lower East Side of New York City. Their parents Sarah and Henry Epstein owned a livery stable at a time when horses were still widely-used in the city. He and Julius both graduated in 1931 from Pennsylvania State University, where they were boxing champions. After graduation, the Epsteins went to Hollywood, hoping to find work in the movie business. They became successful screenwriters at Warner Brothers. The Epsteins are best known today for their Academy Award-winning screenplay for the classic Casablanca (1942), written with Howard Koch and Casey Robinson (uncredited). The Epstein brothers also collaborated on The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), and Mr. Skeffington (1944), among others. The Epsteins also wrote plays, reaching Broadway twice with "And Stars Remain" in 1936 and "Chicken Every Sunday" in 1944. In 1932, Philip married Lillian Targan, with whom he had a son, Leslie Epstein, a novelist and writing teacher. Philip's grandson Theo Epstein is a baseball executive who previously served as the general manager of the Boston Red Sox. His granddaughter Anya Epstein is also screenwriter. Philip died at age 42 in 1952.