Peter Simpson Hedges (born July 6, 1962) is an American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, film director and film producer.
Early life Hedges was born in West Des Moines, Iowa, where he was raised, the son of Carole (Simpson), a psychotherapist, and the Rev. Robert Boyden Hedges, an Episcopal priest. His mother left when he was young so he was raised by his single father. He attended Valley High School, where he was involved in the theater department, including the improvisational group and the mime troupe, The Bakers Dozen. He later went to the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied drama.
Career Hedges' novel What's Eating Gilbert Grape was adapted into a critically acclaimed movie of the same title, for which he wrote the screenplay, launching his film career.
In 2002, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy, alongside Chris and Paul Weitz. In the same year, he wrote and directed Pieces of April, starring Katie Holmes, which he dedicated to his mother.
In 2007, he co-wrote and directed Dan in Real Life.
He wrote and directed The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012), a film conceived by Ahmet Zappa, produced by Zappa and Scott Sanders, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Borys Kit, "Hedges on tap for Zappa's 'Odd' movie idea," Reuters.com In 2018, he wrote and directed the drama Ben Is Back, about drug addiction, starring his son Lucas Hedges, and Julia Roberts.
His latest novel The Heights was published March 4, 2010 by Dutton.
Personal life His wife is Susan Bruce (Titman), a poet. They have two sons; Simon, who works in private equity in New York, and actor Lucas Hedges.
Filmography Film Year Title Director Writer Producer 1993 What's Eating Gilbert Grape 1999 A Map of the World 2002 About a Boy 2003 Pieces of April 2007 Dan in Real Life 2012 The Odd Life of Timothy Green 2018 Ben Is Back 2021 The Same Storm
Television Year Title Director Writer ConsultingProducer Notes 2021 Ordinary Joe Episode "The Letter"
Plays Oregon (1984) Champions of the Average Joe (1985) The Age of Pie (1986) Andy and Claire (1986) Teddy by the Sea (1986) Imagining Brad (1988) Baby Anger (1993) What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Musical) (2024)
Novels What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1991) An Ocean in Iowa (1998) The Heights (2010)
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