Profession: scriptwriter

Stoppard’s writing for stage, screen and radio is known for its intellectual and verbal game-playing; not always acknowledged is its humanitarian heart. Among friends, Pinter wrote to arrange cricket-matches, Spielberg called to ask his opinion on scripts while he was showering, Havel (already admired) was immediately loved, while Sondheim noted his lack of malice and habit of spreading cheer. Stoppard wrote together with Gilliam, fixed a script for Losey, and told Fassbinder a sprightlier pace was needed. Projects with Jagger and Bowie seemingly never took off, while his meeting in Prague with Reed (something of a hero) left him tongue-tied.