Curiosidades

When his twin brother Anthony embarked on a writing career in the 1960s, after Peter was an established playwright, Peter asked him to consider using another name, as otherwise they would be constantly compared to and confused with each other. After Anthony declined and became successful under his own name, journalists interviewing Peter often asked him about sibling rivalry.

His partner Robert Leonard died in 1990.

He has a twin brother named Anthony Shaffer who was born five minutes before him and is also an author.

Both he and his brother Anthony Shaffer have adapted their own successful plays into successful films: Peter wrote Amadeus (1984), and Anthony wrote Jogo Mortal (1972).

Brother-in-law of Diane Cilento.

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1987 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.

He was the son of Reka (Fredman) and Jack Shaffer, who were both of Eastern European Jewish descent.

His play, "Amadeus" on Broadway in New York City was nominated for a 2000 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Revival of a Play.

He was award Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2001 New Year's Honours List for his services to drama.

Has twice won Broadway's Tony Award as author of a Best Play winner: in 1975 for "Equus" and in 1981 for "Amadeus." He was also twice nominated as author of a Best Play nominee: in 1967 for "Black Comedy" and in 1991 for "Lettice and Lovage."

Educated St Paul's School & Trinity College, Cambridge. Worked in Aquisitions Dept. of New York Public Library and for music publisher Boosey & Hawkes before finding fame as playwright.

Peter and twin brother Anthony have both won Tony Awards for Best Play: Anthony's only nomination/win came in 1971 for "Sleuth". Peter was nominated 4 times, for "Black Comedy"(1967), "Lettice and Lovage"(1990), and his two wins, "Equus"(1975), and "Amadeus"(1981).

Step-uncle of Jason Connery.