Ronald Harwood, born on 9 November 1934 in Cape Town, is a screenwriter and actor. He began his career as a writer with the film Private Potter in 1962. He has written for several films such as Quartet, Australia, The Pianist and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. He has produced the film The Dresser and also acted in the TV series BBC Sunday-Night Theatre. He won the Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay award at the Oscar for The Pianist and has received multiple nominations.