Joseph Kesselring entered the world on a summer's day, June 21, 1902, in the bustling heart of New York City. Born to Henry and Frances Kesselring, his journey into the arts began with a role as a music teacher and director of student productions at Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, from 1922 to 1924. Embracing the call of the stage, he ventured into acting, producing, and writing from 1925 to 1933. It was during this time that he debuted his first play, Addie Appleby, Maker of Men, a light-hearted domestic comedy. His subsequent work, There’s Wisdom in Women, unveiled in 1935, garnered some notice, yet true triumph came with the Broadway sensation Arsenic and Old Lace in 1941. Although Kesselring continued crafting plays until 1963, none matched the acclaim of his earlier masterpiece. His creative spirit remained alive, however, as he penned dramas and short stories until his passing on November 5, 1967.

Further cementing his legacy, Kesselring received praise for his screenplay adaptation of Arsenic and Old Lace, which captivated both audiences and critics alike. This enduring classic persists as a beloved choice for amateur and community theater productions, enchanting new generations of theatergoers.