Dennis Potter died on June 7th, 1994 at the age of fifty-nine.   Acclaimed as one of Britain's most original and controversial writers, Potter boldly challenged the established parameters of film, television, and stage with his wit, inventiveness and sheer nerve.

Although he spent a great deal of his life confined to his house (and at times, to his bed) by chronic illness, Potter's work reached out to thousands worldwide who held him in the highest regard for his individualism and courage.  His body of work is a testament to his brilliance.

Among his first television plays was Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton (1965) which he subsequently adapted for the stage (Bristol Old Vic, 1968).  This play was followed by many original plays for television, including Stand Up Nigel Barton (1965), Where the Buffalo Roam (1966), A Beast with Two Backs (1968), Son of Man (1969), Traitor (1971), Paper Roses (1971), Casanova (1971), Follow the Yellow Brick Road (1972), Only Make Believe (1973), Joe's Ark (1974), Schmoedipus (1974), Late Call (1975), and Double Dare (1976).

Brimstone and Treacle was originally commissioned by the BBC in 1975 but was subsequently banned until 1987.  Dennis Potter adapted it for the stage (Sheffield, 1977) and later as a motion picture starring Denholm Elliot, Joan Plowright, and Sting.

The highly acclaimed series Pennies from Heaven was broadcast in 1978 (BBC); Potter then wrote the screenplay for MGM's 1981 film version starring Steve Martin.   The television series won BAFTA's Best Writer Award and Most Original Production Award of 1978.  Potter  also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Potter also wrote the screenplays for such films as Gorky Park, Dreamchild, Track 29, and Secret Friends.  His later television work includes the stunning six-part miniseries The Singing Detective, Blackeyes,   Lipstick on Your Collar, and his final two television plays Karaoke and Cold Lazarus.

For information about other Dennis Potter titles on US Video, visit The Picture Palace's Dennis Potter website.

If you want to learn more about this brilliant eccentric, visit Christer Andersson's nicely designed Dennis Potter fansite.