Biography

William W. Norton

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William Norton was born into a family of Utah Mormon pioneers. He is a life-long writer and political activist. After serving in combat in World War II, he did construction work and was a State Park ranger in California. His early writings were for the small literary magazines such as California Quarterly, as well as plays for little theater in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 60s. Participation in the early progressive political movements of the 50's resulted in being called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Norton's film writing career began with the Burt Lancaster movie, "The Scalphunters". Screenwriting continued through the 70s and 80s, along with active involvement in Central American liberation theology movements. Focusing his concerns for peace and justice towards the struggles in Northern Ireland in the 80s, both Nortons were arrested for attempting to contribute arms to this cause. They spent two years in a French prison, one year each of refuge in Nicaragua and in Cuba. They returned to Los Angeles in the early 90s, where they both continue to write.
- IMDb mini biography by: Joan Norton

In 1985, he moved to Ireland. He arrested, tried, convicted, and served two years in a French prison for trying to smuggle guns to Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland for their defense against the IRA. His wife, Eleanor, was also imprisoned but released sooner.
Upon his release in 1987, he and his wife moved to Nicaragua. He shot and killed one of the robbers who broke into his home. He was tied up but got loose. The authorities ruled the shooting as justified.
He was a member of the Communist Party and a civil rights activist as a young man. He was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1958 and moved to Cuba but only a stayed a year. He was disillusioned with socialism from living in Cuba. He moved to Mexico but risked arrest to return to the United States. His first wife, Betty, and daughter Sally smuggled him from Tijuana to Los Angeles. He feared arrest but was no longer wanted by the FBI.
Worked in construction and as a park ranger before becoming a screenwriter.
Father of Bill Norton