David Sedaris
RETURN TO INDEX
Born Name:
David Raymond Sedaris
Born Date: December 26, 1956
Born Place: Johnson City, New York
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Humorist, comedian, author, radio contributor
Brief Biography: David Sedaris is recognized for his sardonic, self-deprecating, and darkly comedic autobiographical essays, he rose to fame in 1992 after reading his essay "The Santaland Diaries" on National Public Radio (NPR).
Early Life and Career:
Sedaris grew up in a large family in the suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is the second oldest of six children; his sister Amy Sedaris is also a noted comedian and actor.
Early Struggles: He dropped out of Kent State University in 1977 and hitchhiked across the U.S.. During this period, he worked odd jobs, struggled with substance abuse, and began keeping the extensive daily diaries that would later fuel his writing career.
Breakthrough: While attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1980s, he read his diaries at local clubs. This eventually led to his 1992 NPR debut detailing his stint as a Macy’s Christmas elf in The Santaland Diaries.
Literary and Radio Success:
Following the NPR broadcast, Sedaris's essays began appearing in major publications like Harper's, The New Yorker, and Esquire. He has since published multiple New York Times bestsellers.
Style and Themes:
Sedaris’s humor often blends the comedic with the tragic, openly addressing his obsessive behaviors, Greek heritage, homosexuality, and experiences dealing with family tragedies. He frequently writes about his life abroad, having lived in France, London, and the South Downs in England, as well as his domestic life with his husband, Hugh Hamrick (whom he secretly married in 2016).
Awards and Legacy:
Sedaris's work has earned him a prominent place in American satire, drawing comparisons to Mark Twain and Dorothy Parker.
Awards: He has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor, been nominated for five Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word/Comedy Album, and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
The Talent Family: He and his sister Amy frequently collaborate under the name "The Talent Family" to write acclaimed stage plays.
Born Date: December 26, 1956
Born Place: Johnson City, New York
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Humorist, comedian, author, radio contributor
Brief Biography: David Sedaris is recognized for his sardonic, self-deprecating, and darkly comedic autobiographical essays, he rose to fame in 1992 after reading his essay "The Santaland Diaries" on National Public Radio (NPR).
Early Life and Career:
Sedaris grew up in a large family in the suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is the second oldest of six children; his sister Amy Sedaris is also a noted comedian and actor.
Early Struggles: He dropped out of Kent State University in 1977 and hitchhiked across the U.S.. During this period, he worked odd jobs, struggled with substance abuse, and began keeping the extensive daily diaries that would later fuel his writing career.
Breakthrough: While attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1980s, he read his diaries at local clubs. This eventually led to his 1992 NPR debut detailing his stint as a Macy’s Christmas elf in The Santaland Diaries.
Literary and Radio Success:
Following the NPR broadcast, Sedaris's essays began appearing in major publications like Harper's, The New Yorker, and Esquire. He has since published multiple New York Times bestsellers.
Style and Themes:
Sedaris’s humor often blends the comedic with the tragic, openly addressing his obsessive behaviors, Greek heritage, homosexuality, and experiences dealing with family tragedies. He frequently writes about his life abroad, having lived in France, London, and the South Downs in England, as well as his domestic life with his husband, Hugh Hamrick (whom he secretly married in 2016).
Awards and Legacy:
Sedaris's work has earned him a prominent place in American satire, drawing comparisons to Mark Twain and Dorothy Parker.
Awards: He has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor, been nominated for five Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word/Comedy Album, and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
The Talent Family: He and his sister Amy frequently collaborate under the name "The Talent Family" to write acclaimed stage plays.