Person in history
Peter Shaffer
Peter Shaffer, English playwright and screenwriter; works included Equus and Amadeus (born 1926)
Life at a glance
- Died
- 2016 · June 6
- Known as
- screenwriter, playwright, dramaturge, literary critic, and writer. Citizenship: United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland
Their story
Who they were
Sir Peter Levin Shaffer was an English playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. His best-known works are the plays Equus (1973) and Amadeus (1979), both of which earned him the Tony Award for Best Play. They were later adapted for the screen by Shaffer himself in 1977 and 1984, respectively. He was nominated for an Academy Award for both screenplays, winning for Amadeus, which also earned him a Golden Globe Award. Shaffer also earned nominations for two BAFTA Awards and a Laurence Olivier Award.
Early life
Educated at: University of Cambridge, Trinity College, and St Paul's School.
Path and career
Awards / honours: Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Knight Bachelor, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Why this date
Peter Shaffer appears on our June 6 calendar for 2016 as a death entry.
Sources
Cite this page
“Peter Shaffer”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/people/peter-shaffer, accessed October 27, 2026.
Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.
Questions about Peter Shaffer
When did Peter Shaffer die?
June 6 2016.
Who else was born on this day?
The date page lists everyone we hold for that calendar day.
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