Richard Russo | |
|---|---|
 Russo in 2008 | |
| Born | (1949-07-15)July 15, 1949 (age 76) Johnstown, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | |
| Education | University of Arizona (BA,MFA,PhD) |
| Notable works | Empire Falls,Nobody's Fool,Straight Man |
| Notable awards | 2002Pulitzer Prize for Fiction |
| Spouse | Barbara Russo |
| Children | 2 |
Richard Russo (born July 15, 1949) is an Americannovelist,short story writer,screenwriter, andteacher. In 2002, he was awarded aPulitzer Prize in Fiction for his novelEmpire Falls.[1] Several of his works have been adapted into television series and movies. He is known for his realistic depictions ofrural, small-town life in theNortheastern United States, particularly inMaine,Pennsylvania, and Russo's nativeUpstate New York.
Russo was born inJohnstown, New York, and raised in nearbyGloversville. He earned abachelor's degree, aMaster of Fine Arts degree, and aDoctor of Philosophy degree from theUniversity of Arizona, which he attended from 1967 through 1979.[2] The subject of his doctoral dissertation was the works of the early American writer, historian and editorCharles Brockden Brown.[3]
Russo was teaching in the English department atSouthern Illinois University Carbondale when his first novel,Mohawk, was published, in 1986. Much of his work is semi-autobiographical, drawing on his life from his upbringing in upstateNew York to his time teaching literature atColby College, from which he retired in 1996 in order to pursue writing full-time.[4]
His 2001 novelEmpire Falls received the 2002Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He has written nine other novels, a collection ofshort stories, and a memoir (Elsewhere). His short story "Horseman" was published inThe Best American Short Stories 2007 edited byStephen King and Heidi Pitlor.
Besides his work as a book author, Russo along with directorRobert Benton co-wrote the 1998 filmTwilight, starring Paul Newman. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2005 filmIce Harvest and for the 2005 Niall Johnson filmKeeping Mum, which starredRowan Atkinson.
DirectorRobert Benton adapted Russo's 1993 novelNobody's Fool as a 1994 film of thesame title, starringPaul Newman, which Benton directed. Russo also wrote the teleplay for theHBO adaptation ofEmpire Falls.
Russo's 1997 novelStraight Man was adapted byPaul Lieberstein andAaron Zelman into a television show entitledLucky Hank starringBob Odenkirk for AMC. The series debuted on March 19, 2023 on AMC.[5]
Russo and his wife, Barbara, live inPortland, Maine,[6][7] and spend winters in Boston.[8] They have two daughters, Kate and Emily.
