Joseph Stein

Joseph Stein (1912-2010) was an playwright best known for such musicals as Fiddler on the Roof and Zorba . Born to Jewish immigrants, Stein grew up in the Bronx. He began his career as a psychiatric social worker, while writing comedy on the side. A chance encounter with Zero Mostel led him to writing for radio personalities, including Hildegarde and Jackie Gleason. He later worked in TV when he joined the writing team of "Your Show of Shows," which included Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, and Carl...See more

Joseph Stein (1912-2010) was an playwright best known for such musicals as Fiddler on the Roof and Zorba . Born to Jewish immigrants, Stein grew up in the Bronx. He began his career as a psychiatric social worker, while writing comedy on the side. A chance encounter with Zero Mostel led him to writing for radio personalities, including Hildegarde and Jackie Gleason. He later worked in TV when he joined the writing team of "Your Show of Shows," which included Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner. He was honored with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater, and in 2008 was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. See less