Longevity of screenwriters who win an academy award: longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the link between high success and longevity extends to academy award winning screenwriters.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort analysis.


METHODS
All screenwriters ever nominated for an academy award.


METHODS
Life expectancy and all cause mortality.


RESULTS
A total of 850 writers were nominated; the median duration of follow up from birth was 68 years; and 428 writers died. On average, winners were more successful than nominees, as indicated by a 14% longer career (27.7 v 24.2, P=0.004), 34% more total films (23.2 v 17.3, P<0.001), 58% more four star films (4.8 v 3.1, P<0.001), and 62% more nominations (2.1 v 1.3, P<0.001). However, life expectancy was 3.6 years shorter for winners than for nominees (74.1 v 77.7 years, P=0.004), equivalent to a 37% relative increase in death rates (95% confidence interval 10 to 70). After adjustment for year of birth, sex, and other factors, a 35% relative increase in death rates was found (7% to 70%). Additional wins were associated with a 22% relative increase in death rates (3% to 44%). Additional nominations and additional other films in a career otherwise caused no significant increase in death rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The link between occupational achievement and longevity is reversed in screenwriters who win academy awards. Doubt is cast on simple biological theories for the survival gradients found for other members of society.
Redelmeier
D A
DA
Sunnybrook and Women's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5. dar@ices.on.ca
Singh
S M
SM
D000124:Achievement; D000368:Aged; D001319:Authorship; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009040:Motion Pictures; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States