Stephen Chbosky facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stephen Chbosky
Chbosky on the Jericho panel at San Diego Comic-Con, 2006
Born	(1970-01-25) January 25, 1970 (age 55) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Screenwriter director author
Years active	1995–present
Relatives	John Erick Dowdle (brother-in law)

Stephen Chbosky (born January 25, 1970) is an American film director, screenwriter, and author. He is widely known for writing the popular coming-of-age novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999). He also wrote and directed the 2012 film based on his book. Chbosky directed the heartwarming movie Wonder (2017) and the 2021 film version of Dear Evan Hansen. His first psychological horror novel, Imaginary Friend, was released in October 2019.

Stephen Chbosky's Early Life

Chbosky was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the nearby town of Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania. His parents are Lea and Fred Chbosky. He has a sister named Stacy.

What Influenced Chbosky's Writing?

As a teenager, Chbosky enjoyed many types of books, including classic stories, horror, and fantasy. He was greatly inspired by famous authors like J. D. Salinger, who wrote The Catcher in the Rye. He also admired the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Tennessee Williams.

Chbosky finished high school in 1988. Around that time, he met Stewart Stern, a screenwriter who wrote the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause. Stern became a close friend and mentor to Chbosky. He had a big impact on Chbosky's career path.

Chbosky's Career in Film and Books

In 1992, Stephen Chbosky graduated from the University of Southern California. He studied screenwriting there. His first independent film was The Four Corners of Nowhere (1995). He wrote, directed, and even acted in it. This film helped him get his first agent. It was also shown at the Sundance Film Festival and became one of the first movies on the Sundance Channel.

How The Perks of Being a Wallflower Began

In 1994, Chbosky was working on a different book. He wrote a sentence that sparked an idea: "I guess that's just one of the perks of being a wallflower." He realized this line held the key to a character he wanted to create.

After several years, Chbosky started writing The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This novel is told through letters written by a teenager named Charlie. It follows Charlie's journey through his first year of high school. The book shares some similarities with Chbosky's own life, but it is not exactly his story.

Success and Challenges for Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was Chbosky's first novel. It was published in 1999 and quickly became popular with teenagers. By 2000, it was a top-selling book for MTV Books. By 2013, over two million copies had been printed, and it was available in 31 languages.

The book has also faced some challenges. It has been removed from some schools because of its themes. It has appeared on the American Library Association's list of frequently challenged books many times.

Chbosky's Work in Television and Film

In 2000, Chbosky edited a collection of short stories called Pieces. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2005 film Rent, which was based on a popular Broadway musical.

In the mid-2000s, Chbosky started working in television. He helped create, produce, and write the TV show Jericho. This show premiered in 2006 and was about a small town after several nuclear attacks. The show ran for two seasons.

Directing The Perks of Being a Wallflower Film

Chbosky wrote and directed the film version of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The movie was filmed in 2011 and released in 2012. It starred Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Chbosky was nominated for a Writers Guild Award for his screenplay. The film also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.

Other Notable Film Projects

Chbosky helped rewrite the script for Disney's live-action movie Beauty and the Beast (2017). He had worked closely with Emma Watson, who played Belle, on The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This film stayed true to the original animated movie and included all the classic songs.

Chbosky also directed the 2017 film Wonder. He co-wrote the script, which was based on the popular novel by R. J. Palacio. The movie starred Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay.

In 2018, it was announced that Chbosky was in talks to direct the film adaptation of the musical Dear Evan Hansen. He was officially confirmed as the director in 2020. The movie, starring Ben Platt as Evan Hansen, premiered in September 2021.

In October 2019, Chbosky's second novel, Imaginary Friend, became a Top 10 The New York Times Best Seller.

Stephen Chbosky's Personal Life

Stephen Chbosky lives in Los Angeles, California. He often says that screenwriter Stewart Stern was a big reason he decided to become a writer.

Filmography

Film

Television