Belasco, David (1859–1931)

US dramatist and producer. His works include Madame Butterfly (1900) and The Girl of the Golden West (1905), both of which Puccini used as libretti for operas.

Many of his plays were written in collaboration with others, including J A Herne. As a producer, Belasco was known more for his technical innovations than for the quality of the plays he chose. His name was a big draw for theater audiences, and he made stars out of many unknown performers.