Filmography

Dallas - ( Writer / 2006 / Announced / )

HONEYMOON (Laurence Mark Productions) - ( Screenplay / / Announced / )

I Married A Witch - ( Screenplay / / Announced / )

Road Signs - ( Screenplay / / Announced / )

Sophie and the Rising Sun - ( Screenplay / / Announced / )

Sylvia - ( Screenplay / / Announced / )

Ump (MGM) - ( Screenplay / / Announced / )

Laws of Attraction - ( Screenplay / 2004 / Released / )

A Smile Like Yours - ( Executive Producer / 1997 / Released / )

The Evening Star - ( Director / 1996 / Released / )

The Evening Star - ( Screenplay / 1996 / Released / )

The First Wives Club - ( Screenplay / 1996 / Released / )

Soapdish - ( Screenplay / 1991 / Released / )

Soapdish - ( From Story / 1991 / Released / )

Steel Magnolias - ( Screenplay / 1989 / Released / Hoyts Distribution )

Steel Magnolias - ( Minister / 1989 / Released / Hoyts Distribution )

Steel Magnolias - ( Play as Source Material / 1989 / Released / Hoyts Distribution )

TV Credits

Steel Magnolias ( 1990 / Released ): Co-Producer / Play as Source Material / Writer

Full Biography (Back to top)

A Southerner, Harling moved to New York to pursue a theatrical career after first obtaining a law degree. He landed work in regional theater and as a voice-over artist for radio and TV commercials before turning to writing. When his sister Susan died of complications from diabetes, he was inspired to write his first play, "Steel Magnolias". The effort impressed Kyle Renick at the off-off-Broadway WPA Theater enough to produce it where it received strong notices and transferred to a healthy off-Broadway run. Producer Ray Stark purchased the screen rights and Harling set about adapting the piece. The finished film directed by Herbert Ross (1989) was notable for its cast: Oscar-winners Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis, and, in the role inspired by the author's sister, Julia Roberts who gave a warm and winning performance. Harling himself played a small role in the film as the minister who presides at Roberts' wedding. Harling wrote the hilarious spoof "Soapdish" (1991) which reteamed him with Sally Field, as a soap opera diva whose off-screen life was as outrageous as her onscreen one. He also adapted "The First Wives Club" (1996) and made his directorial debut later that same year with "The Evening Star", based on Larry McMurtry's novel.

Profession(s):
screenwriter, playwright, director, Actor, singer, voice actor

Sometimes Credited As:

Family
sister:Susan Harling (died of complications from diabetes; inspiration for character of Shelby in his play "Steel Magnolias")

Education
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana BA history
Tulane University New Orleans, Louisiana JD law

Milestones (Back to top)

1995 Named to adapt and make feature directorial debut with film version of Larry McMurtry's "Evening Star", sequel to hit "Terms of Endearment"

1989 Feature debut as screenwriter, "Steel Magnolias"

1987 Ray Stark purchased screen rights to "Steel Magnolias"

1986 Play produced at WPA Theater off-off-Broadway; moved to Lucille Lortel Theater off-Broadway

1985 After death of his sister Susan of complications from diabetes, wrote play "Steel Magnolias"

Born in Dothan, AL

Moved to Natchitoches, LA with family in his teens

Worked his way through law school at Tulane University by singing with a big band, Jubiliation, and acting in local theater

•To suggest updates to this information, click here

	Photos

	News

	Interviews

	Premieres

	Forums

	Meet Fans

	Fan Sites

Robert Harling

Filmography