Sidney Aaron ‘Paddy’ Chayefsky was an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. He is considered one of the most renowned dramatists of the so-called Golden Age of Television. His intimate, realistic scripts provided a naturalistic style, and he was regarded as the central figure in the "kitchen sink realism" movement of American television.

He won great acclaim in Hollywood as the only person to win three solo Academy Awards for Best Screenplay. These films include Marty—a romantic comedy based on his television drama, The Hospital—a horror murder mystery,and Network—his scathing satire of the television industry, depicting an institution that had sold its soul for ratings.

A published volume of his television plays brought new life to Chayefsky's work. Three of them—in addition to Marty—became Hollywood films: The Bachelor Party and Middle of the Night—adapted by Chayefsky and The Catered Affair—adapted by Gore Vidal.