Julius Epstein (writer)

Julius Epstein (August 16, 1901 – December 30, 2000) was an Austrian-American screenwriter. He is best known for co-writing the screenplay for Casablanca (1942), for which he, along with his twin brother Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch, won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.

Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, Epstein emigrated to the United States. He often collaborated with his brother, Philip, though they sometimes worked separately or with other writers. Their writing partnership was reportedly fraught with arguments and creative disagreements, leading to periods of separation followed by reconciliation and renewed collaboration.

Besides Casablanca, Epstein's extensive filmography includes Mr. Skeffington (1944), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), The Strawberry Blonde (1941), Pete Kelly's Blues (1955), Light in the Piazza (1962), and Reuben, Reuben (1983). He also worked on television projects. Epstein's work is characterized by sharp wit, memorable dialogue, and insightful character development. He continued to write well into his later years, demonstrating a remarkable longevity in the film industry.