Biography
Colin Higgins (28 July 1941 – 5 August 1988) was an Australian-American screenwriter, director and producer. Born in Nouméa, New Caledonia, to an Australian mother and American father, he studied creative writing at Stanford University before completing an MFA in screenwriting at UCLA. His master's thesis formed the basis of the screenplay for the 1971 film Harold and Maude, which he also produced.
Higgins wrote the screenplays for Silver Streak (1976) and Foul Play (1978), the latter marking his directorial debut. He went on to direct and co-write Nine to Five (1980) and direct The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). He also adapted Harold and Maude for the stage. Higgins died in Los Angeles from an AIDS-related illness.
