Charles MacArthur
Charles MacArthur (
November 5,
1895 -
April 21,
1956) was an American
playwright and
screenwriter, born in
Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his play with
Ben Hecht,
The Front Page, which has been filmed frequently. It was based in part on MacArthur's experiences at the
City News Bureau of Chicago. He was married to the actress
Helen Hayes from 1928 until his death in 1956 in
New York City.
Their adopted son James MacArthur is, like his mother, an actor, best known for playing "Danny Williams" on the American television series Hawaii Five-O.
His brother, John D. MacArthur, was an insurance-company owner and executive, and founded the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the benefactor in the "genius awards.