Introduction
David Rayfiel (September 9, 1923 – June 22, 2011) was an American screenwriter and frequent collaborator of director Sydney Pollack (1934–2008). Born in Brooklyn, New York and educated at Brooklyn College, his father was congressman Leo F. Rayfiel (1888–1978).
His first marriage ended in divorce. His second wife was actress Maureen Stapleton (1925–2006), from 1963 to 1966, before that union also ended in divorce.
His former house at Day, New York, known as David Rayfiel House, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Death
He died on June 22, 2011 of heart failure, aged 87, in Manhattan. He was survived by his third wife, Lynne Schwarzenbek-Rayfiel and his daughter, Eliza Roberts. David Rayfiel also had two grandchildren, Keaton Simons and Morgan Simons. Also survived by step-children Daniel Allentuck and Katharine Allentuck and grandchildren Alexandra and Max Bambery.
Awards
In 1976, he received an Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay for Three Days of the Condor with Lorenzo Semple, Jr. He received a César Award in 1981 for Death Watch.
Screenplays
- The Slender Thread (uncredited) (1965)
- This Property is Condemned (1966)
- Castle Keep (1969)
- Valdez Is Coming (1971)
- Lipstick (1976)
- Three Days of the Condor (1975)
- Death Watch (1980)
- Absence of Malice (1981)
- Round Midnight (1986)
- The Morning After (uncredited) (1986)
- Havana (1990)
- The Firm (1993)
- Intersection (1994)
- Sabrina (1995)
- Random Hearts (uncredited) (1999)