Walter Laurence Hackett (1876–1944) was an American playwright and theater manager whose career spanned journalism, short story writing, and numerous stage productions. Born in Oakland, California, Hackett pursued a varied early career, including work as a sailor, horse trainer, and school teacher, before becoming a journalist for the Chicago American. He began writing plays in the early 1900s, with his first significant work being "The Prince of Dreams" in 1902. After achieving success with co-authored plays like "The Regeneration" and "The White Sister" on Broadway, he married actress Marion Lorne. The couple relocated to London in 1914, where Hackett became a prominent figure in the West End theater scene, earning the nickname "Walter 'Long Run' Hackett" for his popular plays. He and his wife returned to New York City at the onset of World War II, where he passed away in 1944.

Born in Oakland, California, in 1876, Walter Laurence Hackett's early life was marked by a restless spirit. After attending grammar school, he was sent to a boarding school in Canada, his father's native country. He ran away from this institution to pursue a life at sea as a sailor. His adult years saw him engage in a wide array of professions, including working as a horse trainer, a school teacher, and a journalist. By 1901, he was employed by the Chicago American newspaper. His varied experiences likely informed his later dramatic writing, providing a broad canvas of human endeavor and circumstance.

Hackett's initial foray into writing began with short stories, some of which, like "In the Service of the Czar," were published in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Concurrently, he worked as a journalist, serving as the city editor and later the drama critic for the Chicago American. His early dramatic efforts included the musical "playlet" "Jessie's Jack and Jerry" in 1901 and the one-act farce "The Way to Win a Husband." His first full-length play, "The Prince of Dreams," premiered in 1902. While he continued to write short fiction, his theatrical ambitions grew, leading to collaborations on plays that would eventually find success on larger stages.

The year 1908 proved pivotal for Hackett's playwriting career, with the staging of "The Regeneration" and "The Invader," the latter co-authored with Robert Hobart Davis. "The White Sister," co-written with Francis Marion Crawford, also achieved success on Broadway in 1909. Hackett married actress Marion Lorne in 1911, and many of his subsequent plays were written with her in mind, often casting her in leading roles. In 1914, the couple moved to London, where Hackett's career flourished. His plays enjoyed lengthy runs in the West End, earning him the moniker "Walter 'Long Run' Hackett." Notable British productions included "Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure" and "The Fugitives."