Garson Kanin (1912 – 1999) was a prolific American writer and director of plays and films. Garson Kanin began his show business career as a jazz musician, burlesque comedian, and actor. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and made his Broadway debut in Little Ol' Boy (1933). In 1935, Kanin was cast in a George Abbott play and soon became Abbott's assistant. Kanin made his Broadway debut as a director in 1936, at the age of twenty-four, with Hitch Your Wagon. His plays include: Born Yesterday, The Smile of the World, The Rat Race, The Live Wire and Come on Strong.
