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Roald Dahl

John Lithgow, as Roald Dahl, confronts Aya Cash, playing an American Jewish sales director at Farrar Strauss Giroux, in 'Giant.' (Joan Marcus via JTA)
March 25, 2026, 4:17 am
In Broadway’s ‘Giant,’ Roald Dahl is a warped messenger for a vital debate about Israel
John Lithgow stars in a new play about the beloved children’s author whose antisemitic outbursts of decades ago may sound hauntingly familiar to many Diaspora Jews today
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
John Lithgow as Roald Dahl (left) and Elliot Levey as Tom Maschler in Mark Rosenblatt’s play, 'Giant.' (Courtesy/ Manuel Harlan)
April 8, 2025, 9:15 am
Play about Roald Dahl’s antisemitism wins top UK theater awards
John Lithgow gets best actor prize for portrayal of author who sympathized with Hitler, slammed Israeli ‘bestiality’ in Lebanon war; ‘Giant’ also wins best new play
By Grace Gilson
Roald Dahl signs autographs for young fans in Amsterdam, October 12, 1988. (Public domain)
October 19, 2024, 8:43 am
Beloved author and vicious antisemite Roald Dahl gets complex treatment in new play
Running at London’s Royal Court Theatre through Nov. 16, ‘Giant’ presents a fictionalized depiction of the true-life controversy stirred by the writer’s vitriolic words about Jews
By Robert Philpot
Author Roald Dahl and his wife, actress Patricia Neal, arrive for the premiere of 'The Subject Was Roses,' in New York, December 10, 1968. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff)
March 4, 2024, 11:59 pm
John Lithgow to star in play about Roald Dahl’s antisemitism
‘Giant’ will run from September through November at Royal Court Theater, and follow the author in the aftermath of a contentious 1983 interview
By ToI Staff
Author Roald Dahl in 1982, around the time his commentaries against Jews and Israel began to increase. (Public domain)
July 20, 2023, 6:25 pm
UK Roald Dahl Museum acknowledges author’s ‘undeniable’ antisemitism
Institution says it supports 2020 apology made by family of late creator of ‘Matilda’ and ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’ for his history of antisemitic remarks
By AFP
Author Roald Dahl in 1982, around the time his commentaries against Jews and Israel began to increase. (Public domain)
September 25, 2021, 1:12 pm
Jewish group says Roald Dahl Netflix deal must include film on his antisemitism
UK Board of Deputies warns failure to address ‘virulent’ Jew-hatred of celebrated writer ‘will not go unnoticed’; new agreement paves way for author’s back catalogue to hit screens
By ToI Staff
Author Roald Dahl in 1982, around the time his commentaries against Jews and Israel began to increase. (Public domain)
December 6, 2020, 12:33 pm
Roald Dahl’s family quietly apologizes for hurt caused by author’s anti-Semitism
Estate of celebrated writer issues statement of regret for ‘lasting and understandable hurt’ caused by ‘incomprehensible’ comments he made throughout his life
By ToI Staff
Author Roald Dahl in 1982, around the time his commentaries against Jews and Israel began to increase. (Public domain)
November 7, 2018, 1:56 pm
Anti-Semitic Roald Dahl kept off UK commemorative coins
Britain’s Royal Mint refuses a proposal to honor beloved children’s author on centenary of his birth due to dubious reputation
By ToI Staff
Jenni Frazer
July 31, 2016, 12:51 pm
Jenni Frazer
Spielberg’s Roald Dahl problem
The children’s books invite movie-making, but the author’s anti-Semitism should give any director pause
Steven Spielberg speaking at the Harvard University commencement ceremony, May 26, 2016. (screenshot: YouTube)
From the WebJuly 19, 2016, 6:45 pm
Steven Spielberg, director of Roald Dahl’s The BFG: ‘There’s no limit to anyone’s imagination’
Two-time Academy Award winner, 69, vows to keep making movies, as he prepares for release of classic kid’s story
A scene from the 2016 film 'The BFG,' directed by Steven Spielberg for Walt Disney Pictures (courtesy)
June 28, 2016, 6:46 pm
Was beloved children’s author Roald Dahl a raging bigot?
As Steven Spielberg-directed ‘The BFG’ flick hits the screens, a critical look at provocateur Dahl’s lifelong disdain for Jews and other minorities
By Matt Lebovic
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