Alan Bennett is an English actor, author, playwright, and screenwriter. Born on 9 May 1934, he has received numerous awards and honors, including two BAFTA Awards, four Laurence Olivier Awards, and two Tony Awards. In 2005, he received the Society of London Theatre Special Award.

Bennett was born in Leeds and attended Oxford University, where he taught medieval history for several years. His work in the satirical revue Beyond the Fringe at the 1960 Edinburgh Festival brought him instant fame and a Special Tony Award. He turned to writing full-time and gained acclaim with his plays at the Royal National Theatre.

Several of his plays have been adapted into films, including The Madness of King George (1994), The History Boys (2005), and The Lady in the Van (2015).