Ernest Thompson is an American playwright and screenwriter best known for his play On Golden Pond, which premiered in 1979. The play explores themes of aging, family relationships, and the passage of time, and it has been adapted into a successful film starring Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn. In addition to his work on On Golden Pond, Thompson has written several other plays and screenplays, contributing to both theater and film. He has received various awards for his writing, showcasing his talent in capturing human emotions and experiences through storytelling.