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Mark Boal Biography

Birth Place:

New York, New York, United States

Profession

Screenwriter, producer

Fast Facts

Father William Boal produced educational films
Ranked among the Top 10 of high-school debaters in the country during his senior year
Has worked as a freelance journalist, writing articles for Rolling Stone, the Village Voice and Playboy magazine
A 2004 article titled "Death and Dishonor" published in Playboy magazine became the inspiration for the 2007 film In the Valley of Elah
Wrote the original screenplay for The Hurt Locker (2008) based on his experiences as a journalist in Iraq
Sued by an Iraq war veteran who claimed the 2008 war film, in particular Jeremy Renner's character, was based on his life; the lawsuit was subsequently thrown out by the court

2013Writers Guild Awards-Original Screenplay: winner
2013Producers Guild Awards-Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
2013BAFTA Film Awards-Best Film: nominated
2013BAFTA Film Awards-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2013Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2012Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2012Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): nominated
2012New York Film Critics Online-Best Screenplay: nominated
2010Writers Guild Awards-Original Screenplay: winner
2010Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
2010Producers Guild Awards-Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: winner
2010Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2010BAFTA Film Awards-Best Film: winner
2010BAFTA Film Awards-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2009Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2009Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): winner
2009Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: winner