Bruce Graham

Bruce Graham is an American playwright, screenwriter, and educator whose works combine sharp humor with an unflinching look at human flaws. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, he has long drawn inspiration from the rhythms and attitudes of everyday life in his home city. His plays often blend blue-collar realism with biting wit, tackling subjects from family dysfunction to moral compromise.

Graham’s stage works include Coyote on a Fence, a hard-hitting drama about the death penalty; Stella and Lou, an intimate study of late-in-life connection; The Outgoing Tide, a moving look at aging and Alzheimer’s; and White Guy on the Bus, which confronts racial and social tensions head-on. His writing has been praised for its mix of humor and pathos, making audiences laugh moments before challenging their beliefs.

In addition to his theatrical work, Graham has written extensively for television, contributing to children’s programming like Sesame Street and more adult-oriented series such as Roseanne. He has also authored screenplays for feature films, bringing his keen ear for dialogue to multiple mediums.

Graham has been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre and a Rosenthal Prize for his work in drama. He has also served as a teacher and mentor, helping to train new generations of playwrights and screenwriters.

Throughout his career, Bruce Graham has maintained a reputation as a storyteller unafraid to wrestle with the complexities of morality, relationships, and social change—always with an undercurrent of humor that keeps his work accessible and deeply human.