[1] Shanley's academic career did not begin well, but ultimately he graduated from New York University with honors from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in a stateside post during the Vietnam War.

Bill, and by supporting himself with a series of jobs: elevator operator, house painter, furniture mover, locksmith, bartender.

[8] Shanley is the author of more than 23 plays, which have been translated and performed around the world, including 80 productions a year in North America.

[14] Shanley wrote and directed the 2008 film version, which starred Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis.

[16]Doubt: A Parable, is featured in The Fourth Wall, a book of photographs by Amy Arbus for which Shanley also wrote the foreword.

It opened on February 9, 2016, and featured Timothée Chalamet, Robert Sean Leonard, Annika Boras, Chris McGarry and David Potters.

[22] His play The Portuguese Kid opened on October 24, 2017, at the New York City Center Stage I, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club.

Shanley directed, with a cast featuring Cecily Strong, David Zayas, Florencia Lozano, and Andrea Syglowski.