Mario Puzo, the acclaimed author of The Godfather novel, achieved the rare feat of winning two Oscars for screenwriting without any formal training in the craft. He co-wrote the screenplay for the original The Godfather film and received an Academy Award for it.
Just two years later, he was awarded a second Oscar for writing the screenplay of The Godfather Part II. In an interview, Puzo revealed that he adapted his literary work into screenplays without studying screenwriting techniques or formal training. After winning his second Oscar, he decided to learn more about the craft and bought a book on screenwriting.
To his surprise, in the first chapter, he read advice that resonated deeply: to learn the craft, one should study the screenplay of The Godfather. This experience highlights how talent and instinct can sometimes surpass formal education, and Puzo’s success remains an inspiring story for aspiring writers and filmmakers alike.
