Richard Maibaum
Early life and education
Richard Maibaum was born on May 26, 1909, in New York City. He attended the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1931. He later pursued a Master's degree in Literature at the same institution, graduating in 1932.
Career
Maibaum began his career in the theatre, working as a playwright for the Federal Theatre Project during the Great Depression. His early works included adaptations of classic plays and original scripts. He moved to Hollywood in the late 1930s and began writing for the screen.
In the 1940s, Maibaum served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, where he worked on propaganda films. After the war, he returned to Hollywood and resumed his screenwriting career.
Maibaum is best known for his work on the James Bond film series. He wrote or co-wrote the screenplays for 13 of the first 16 Bond films, starting with Dr. No in 1962 and ending with Licence to Kill in 1989. His contributions to the series helped shape the character of James Bond and set the tone for the franchise.
Maibaum's other screenwriting credits include The Great Gatsby (1949), OSS (1946), and Ransom! (1956). He also worked as a producer on several films, including Thunderball (1965) and On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).
Legacy
Maibaum passed away on January 4, 1991. His contributions to the film industry, particularly the James Bond franchise, have left a lasting impact. His ability to blend action, humor, and character development in his scripts set a standard for the Bond films and influenced subsequent generations of screenwriters.