Winnie Holzman

Winnie Holzman is the writer (with renowned composer/ lyricist Stephen Schwartz) of the hit musical Wicked, which has been running for over 20 years on Broadway, and has been produced all over the world. She also co-wrote both screenplays for the movie adaptations of Wicked.

After graduating from Princeton University, Winnie went to New York City where she and three friends formed a comedy group, performing in various venues Off Off Broadway. She was accepted into the first class of the newly formed NYU Musical Theatre Program, where she studied with such luminaries as Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim. Her thesis musical, Birds of Paradise, (written with composer David Evans) was eventually produced off-Broadway, directed by Laurents.  

Relocating to Los Angeles, she was asked to join the writing staff of the groundbreaking TV drama thirtysomething, and went on to create another memorable TV series-- My So-Called Life.

Other TV credits include Once and Again, (reuniting with her mentors, Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz) Huge ( collaborating with her daughter, Savannah Dooley) and Roadies (with Cameron Crowe).

Her (non-musical) play Choice was recently produced at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. She’s written two other plays with her husband, actor Paul Dooley: Post-its: Notes on a Marriage, and Assisted Living. Also an actress, she appeared in the movie Jerry Maguire and as Larry David’s wife’s therapist on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Winnie is currently at work on an original drama series for HBO, which will reunite her with the star of My So-Called Life, Claire Danes.