Mark Stein (author) Mark Stein (author) Mark Stein (born 1951) is an American writer. Raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1973. Stein wrote the screenplay for the Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin film "Housesitter." His stage plays were first produced at New Playwrights Theater of Washington, D.C. From there he went on to productions at Actors Theater of Louisville, Manhattan Theatre Club, South Coast Repertory, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Fountain Theater in Los Angeles, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and elsewhere. His non-fiction book, "How the States Got Their Shapes", became the basis for a
Foul Play (1978 film) turned it down he offered it to Dudley Moore instead. It was Moore's American film debut and led to his being cast in "10" by Blake Edwards the following year. Higgins says when he sold the script he wanted to direct it so badly he did not care who was going to play the lead roles. He met with Farrah Fawcett to play the female lead before going with Goldie Hawn. His first choice for the male lead was Harrison Ford (who had been Higgins' carpenter) who turned it down. Steve Martin was also offered the role but did not