Peggy Rajski facts for kids

Peggy M. Rajski (born August 20, 1953) is an American filmmaker. She is well-known for directing and co-producing the 1994 short film Trevor. This film won an Academy Award (also known as an Oscar) for "Best Live Action Short Film" in 1995.

Peggy Rajski also helped start The Trevor Project. This organization helps young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ+). It offers support and helps prevent suicide.

She has taught filmmaking at New York University. From 2018 to 2021, she was the dean of the film school at Loyola Marymount University. She also served as the Interim CEO of The Trevor Project from 2022 to 2024.

Early Life and Education

Peggy Rajski was born and grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She was one of ten children in her family. Her father, Pat A. Rajski, was a U.S. Navy veteran. Her mother, Patricia A. (Simon) Rajski, was a homemaker.

As a child, Peggy was a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She received the Marian Award in 1966. She went to Maria High School, an all-girls Catholic school. Later, it joined with Pacelli High School.

In high school, she was a cheerleader and a photographer for the school yearbook. She graduated in 1971. Peggy earned her first college degree from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1975. She then received a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1977.

Filmmaking Career

After college, Peggy Rajski moved to New York. She wanted to work in the film industry. She started as a receptionist at a company that made films for businesses. Within a year, she became a producer and director there.

She began meeting people who made independent films. In 1983, she met writer and director John Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi. They needed a production manager for Sayles's next film, Lianna, and offered her the job.

In 1984, Rajski and Renzi helped produce the music video for Bruce Springsteen's song Born in the USA. John Sayles directed this video. They also produced videos for Springsteen's songs I'm on Fire and Glory Days.

Peggy Rajski produced several of John Sayles's early films. These include The Brother from Another Planet (1984), Matewan (1987), and Eight Men Out (1988).

She also worked with other famous filmmakers. She produced Little Man Tate (1991), which was directed by and starred Jodie Foster. She co-produced The Grifters (1990) with Martin Scorsese. She also produced Home for the Holidays (1995), again with Jodie Foster.

In 2003, Rajski directed an episode of the TV show ER. This episode featured actor Aaron Paul. She was the only new director to join the show in its ninth season.

In 2018, Rajski became a mentor for a program called Global Media Makers. This program helps filmmakers from different countries connect with film professionals in the U.S. She often gives talks and joins panels at film events. She is a member of important film groups like the Director’s Guild of America.

Trevor (film)

In 1994, Peggy Rajski directed the short film Trevor. She co-produced it with Randy Stone. The film was written by Celeste Lecesne. It tells the story of a 13-year-old boy named Trevor. He faces challenges after his feelings for a male schoolmate are discovered.

Trevor won an Oscar in 1995. It shared the award with another film. It also won an award at the Berlin International Film Festival. In 2017, a theater in Chicago turned the film into a stage musical. This musical later played in New York and was made into a film for Disney+ in 2022.

The Trevor Project

In 1998, Peggy Rajski helped create The Trevor Project. She started it with Randy Stone and Celeste Lecesne. Their goal was to create a 24/7 support service for young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ+). This service helps prevent suicide and offers crisis support.

When the film Trevor was going to be shown on HBO, Peggy wanted to make sure young viewers had a place to get help. She realized there was no such service available. So, she decided to create a national crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth. This became The Trevor Project.

When the film premiered on HBO in August 1998, The Trevor Project's phone number was shown on screen. On that first night, counselors received over 1,500 calls. The organization also worked with a TV show to include a public service announcement. This led to many more calls to their hotline and visits to their website. Peggy said that because they worked together, The Trevor Project was ready for the increase in calls.

Peggy Rajski often speaks out in support of helping LGBTQ+ youth. She has been an active member of The Trevor Project’s Board of Directors since it started in 1998. In 2022, she was named interim CEO. In 2024, the organization received over 500,000 contacts for its crisis services.

Academic Career

In 2010, Rajski became a professor at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She later became the head of studies for the producing program. During this time, the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point honored her as a Distinguished Alumnus.

In 2018, Rajski was named Dean of the Loyola Marymount University School of Film & Television. While she was there, the school opened a large new production facility. She left LMU in 2021.

Personal Life

Peggy Rajski married actor Josh Mostel in 1983. They divorced in 1995. Since 2012, she has been married to Paul Colin.

In 2024, Rajski joined NFL player Carl Nassib to announce a draft pick for the Cleveland Browns. This event was shown on national television.

Awards and Honors

• Muse Award, New York Women in Film & Television, 1991
• Academy Award, Best Live Action Short Film, 1995
• Distinguished Alumnus, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point College of Fine Arts and Communications, 2014
• Pioneers of Queer Cinema, UCLA Film Archive, 2022 (she was the only non-LGBTQ-identified filmmaker honored)
• LGBTQ Power Players, Politics NY, 2023 and 2024.

Filmography

See also

• List of female film and television directors
• List of LGBT-related films directed by women