It's conceivable that Wally Shawn's fans enjoy his serious plays, such as Grasses of a Thousand Colors and The Fever, as much as his comedic turns in films like Pixar's Toy and The Princess Bride. Of course, there may be some folks who are only be familiar with Shawn's essays, which are often featured in The Nation. Shawn compiled many of politically progressive essays in a book called, shockingly enough, Essays.

While he works in a range of genres and mediums, Shawn is consistently thoughtful in his work, and (seemingly) life. As he found his footing as a playwright, Shawn aptly turned to acting in television and film to pay the bills. He could then experiment with his plays. He often does so with his partner-in-crime, Andre Gregory. Best known for their collaborations, "My Dinner With Andre" and "Vanya On 42nd Street," you can see Shawn and Gregory star in the film "A Master Builder," which Jonathan Demme directed.

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