David Henry Hwang is an American playwright, screenwriter, and opera librettist known for his contributions to theater. He was born on August 11, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, and is of Chinese descent. Hwang gained prominence with his play M. Butterfly, which won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1988 and explores themes of identity and cultural perception. In addition to his work in theater, Hwang has written for television and film, contributing to projects like The Last Emperor and Golden Child. He has also served as a professor at Columbia University, where he teaches playwriting and continues to influence the next generation of writers.