Ernest Paul Lehman (December 8, 1915 – July 2, 2005) was an American
screenwriter. He received six
Academy Award nominations during his career, without a single win. At the
73rd Academy Awards in 2001, he received an
Honorary Academy Award for his ingenious and influential works for the screen that has inspired new generations of screenwriters and captivated filmmakers, actors, film critics, and audiences by the beauty of his screenwriting. He was the first screenwriter to receive that honor. The award was presented to him by friend and
The Sound of Music star
Julie Andrews.