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Whose Life Is It Anyway? originally was written for television by Brian Clark in 1972. Set in a hospital room, the action revolves around Ken Harrison, a sculptor by profession, who was paralysed from the neck down (quadriplegia) in a car accident and is determined to be allowed to die. Clark presented reasonable arguments both in favor of and opposing euthanasia and to what extent government should be allowed to interfere in the life of a private citizen. In portraying Ken as a bright, witty, vibrant mind trapped in a useless body, he left the audience conflicted about his desire to end his life.

In 1978, the play was adapted for the stage, opening at the Mermaid Theatre in London's West End with Tom Conti as Ken. The production won Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Play and Best Actor.

After nine previews, the drama, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, opened at the Trafalgar Theatre (renamed the Nederlander Theatre) in New York City on April 17, 1979 and ran for 223 performances. It marked the Broadway debut of Conti, who was joined by Jean Marsh and Philip Bosco. Conti was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and won the 1979 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Both the play itself and Lindsay-Hogg were nominated as well.

The play, again directed by Lindsay-Hogg, was revived on Broadway, at the Royale Theatre, where it opened on February 24, 1980 after nine previews. A gender reversal found Mary Tyler Moore in the lead role, rechristened Claire, and James Naughton as her now-male doctor. Josef Sommer rounded out the principal cast. The play ran for 96 performances. Moore was nominated for a Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Play and won a special 1980 Tony Award for her performance.

A 1981 film version (IMDb listing), written by Reginald Rose and directed by John Badham, starred Richard Dreyfuss, John Cassavetes, and Christine Lahti.