Neil Simon (July 4, 1927 – August 26, 2018) was born during the Jazz Age and became one of the most prolific playwrights and screenwriters in American history. As of his death in 2018, he was 91 years old; at birth he was 0, and he turned 50 in 1977 and 90 in 2017. This verified profile explains his exact age over time, clarifies dates around major career milestones, and relies on authoritative biographies and obituaries. Use this timeline to understand his age in context without speculation or confusion.
Neil Simon’s birth date and verified age
Authoritative sources, including Social Security records, obituaries, and biographies, confirm Neil Simon’s birth date as July 4, 1927. This establishes a fixed reference point for calculating his age at any given time. He died on August 26, 2018. The table below summarizes key age milestones tied to his verified birth and death dates.
Age milestones and key dates
| Date or period | Age | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 1927 | 0 years | Birth in the Bronx, New York | Starting point for age and timeline |
| 1950 | 22–23 | Early writing for radio and TV | Launch of professional writing career |
| 1955 | 27–28 | Broadway debut with “Destry Rides Again” | Entry into professional theatre |
| 1965 | 37–38 | Major commercial successes in the mid-1960s | Peak commercial period on Broadway |
| 1977 | 50 | Continued prominence in playwriting | Half-century milestone |
| 1990 | 62–63 | Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame (1990) | Recognition of lasting influence |
| 2009 | 81–82 | Broadway revivals and continued cultural presence | Later-career relevance |
| August 26, 2018 | 91 | Death in Manhattan, New York | End of life; age at death firmly documented |
Calculating his age at different points
Because his birth date is fixed as July 4, 1927, you can calculate his age at any year by subtracting 1927 from the calendar year and adjusting for whether his birthday had occurred yet. For example, in 1984 he turned 57 after July 4; in 2000 he turned 73 after July 4. Before his birthday in any given year, subtract 1927 and subtract one more year if the date precedes July 4.
Quick reference ages
- Age 50 in 1977
- Age 65 in 1992
- Age 80 in 2007
- Age 90 in 2017
Common misconceptions and clarifications
Some confusion arises from confusion with relatives, approximate decades, or dramatized timelines in popular media. Because Social Security and obituary records are consistent, reputable biographies use July 4, 1927 as the definitive birth date. No credible source supports substantially different years for his birth. If an alternate age claim appears, compare it against these verified documents.
Neil Simon’s career context by age
Understanding Neil Simon’s age helps place his creative output in context. His early radio work happened in his 20s; his breakthrough plays such as “Barefoot in the Park” arrived when he was in his late 30s; and his long-running commercial successes peaked in the 1960s and early 1970s while in his 40s and 50s. Later revivals and reflections on his work in his 70s and 80s show sustained relevance rather than a late-career decline.
Notable work by decade
- Late 1950s–early 1960s: “Come Blow Your Horn,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “The Odd Couple”
- Mid-1960s–early 1970s: “The Producers,” “The Sunshine Boys,” “The Goodbye Girl”
- 1980s–1990s: Continued stage and screen work, memoirs, and reflections
Why reliable sourcing matters
For historical figures, age is not a moving estimate but a fixed attribute anchored to birth and death records. This profile relies on authoritative sources such as official biographies, New York Times and Washington Post obituaries, and reputable theater databases. Citing these sources reduces misinformation and supports clear, factual discussion across education, journalism, and trivia contexts.
FAQ
Reader questions
How old would Neil Simon be if he were alive?
If Neil Simon were alive today, he would be 97 years old as of July 4, 2024, and 98 by July 4, 2025, based on his July 4, 1927 birth date.
When did he turn 50?
He turned 50 in 1977, specifically on July 4, 1977.
What is his age at death?
He died at age 91 on August 26, 2018.
Does his birth year affect copyright on his works?
No. Copyright terms depend on publication date and legal terms, not on the author’s age at creation or at death in this context; published works enter public domain according to statutory schedules, not the author’s current age.