Richard LaGravenese is an American screenwriter and occasional film director. He is best known as the writer of The Fisher King. LaGravenese was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a taxi driver. He is of Italian descent. He graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Experimental Theatre Program. LaGravenese wrote The Fisher King on spec in the late 1980s. It was acquired by Lynda Obst and Debra Hill’s production company and subsequently directed by Terry Gilliam. In New York City during the early 1980’s, billed as "The Double R" comedy duo, in collaboration with playwright Richard O’Donnell, LaGravenese co-penned and consecutively performed in several Off-Off-Broadway productions including Spare Parts, Blood-brothers, and Entrees at The 78th Street Theatre Lab, The Lion Theatre, and West Bank Cafe. While working with O’Donnell, LaGravenese discovered he had a knack for writing dialog.