Clifford Odets was an American playwright and screenwriter, born on July 18, 1906, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his works during the 1930s, particularly for plays like Waiting for Lefty and Awake and Sing!, which addressed social issues and the struggles of the working class. Odets was associated with the Group Theatre, a collective that aimed to create socially relevant theater. In addition to his success in theater, Odets also wrote for Hollywood, contributing to films such as Sweet Smell of Success. His writing often reflected his leftist political views and a deep concern for human dignity. Odets passed away on August 14, 1963, leaving a lasting impact on American drama.