George Plimpton
Biography
George Plimpton was an American writer known for sports writing and for participatory journalism, in which he joined professional athletes and performers and then wrote about the experience from an amateur's point of view. Raised in New York City, he was recruited in 1952 to join The Paris Review and became its first editor. His books included Out of My League (1961), about pitching in an exhibition game, and Paper Lion (1966), drawn from preseason training with the Detroit Lions. He appeared in more than thirty films, usually in cameos, among them Rio Lobo (1970), Reds (1981), Volunteers (1985), Little Man Tate (1991), Just Cause (1995) and Just Visiting (2001), and he was in the documentary When We Were Kings (1996). On television he hosted Mouseterpiece Theater and had a recurring role on ER. He died in 2003.
76years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died New York City
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Also credited as George Ames Plimpton
Movie Career
- Films
- 10
- Career span
- 35 years1968 to 2003
Genres
- Drama40%, 4 films
- Documentary30%, 3 films
- Adventure20%, 2 films
- Comedy20%, 2 films
- Crime20%, 2 films
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Getting ready for a role
George Plimpton pitched against the National League in a 1958 exhibition at Yankee Stadium, an experience he turned into the book Out of My League. He had planned to face both lineups but tired and was relieved by Ralph Houk.
Getting ready for a role
In 1963, Plimpton joined the Detroit Lions of the National Football League for preseason training as a backup quarterback and took part in a few plays during an intrasquad scrimmage. His best-known book, Paper Lion, recalled these events.
A first
In 1979, Plimpton and Felix Grucci took part in the 16th International Fireworks Festival in Monte Carlo. Despite trouble transporting and preparing the fireworks, they were the first United States competitors to win the event.
Behind the camera
In 1952, Peter Matthiessen recruited Plimpton to join The Paris Review, a literary journal that Matthiessen had founded with Thomas H. Guinzburg and Harold L. Humes.
Getting ready for a role
For his 1985 book Open Net, Plimpton trained as an ice hockey goalie alongside the Boston Bruins and even took part in a National Hockey League preseason game.
Own stunts
Plimpton once played percussion with the New York Philharmonic. When he missed a hit on the gong, conductor Leonard Bernstein applauded him immediately.
George Plimpton movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
George Plimpton shares two films with Tom Hanks, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Tom Hanks's page
Keith David's page
Malcolm McDowell's page
John Wayne's page
Laurence Fishburne's page
Robert Duvall's page
Arne GlimcherDirector, 1 film, 1995
All films by Arne Glimcher
All films by Warren Beatty
Jean-Marie PoiréDirector, 1 film, 2001
All films by Jean-Marie Poiré
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1969 | St. Louis Literary Award | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.