From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Joseph Otto Kesselring (21 July 1902 – 5 November 1967) was an American writer and playwright known best for his play Arsenic and Old Lace, written in 1939 and originally entitled "Bodies in Our Cellar." He was born in New York City to Henry and Frances Kesselring. His father's parent's were immigrants from Germany. His mother was an English Canadian.  Kesselring spent much of his life in and around the theater. In 1922 he began teaching vocal music and directed stage produc