 |
Philip ReedAmerican writer and playwright
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Influences
- Education and Struggles
- Early Career and Writing
- Theater and Television
- Books and Novels
- Personal Life
Early Life and Influences
Philip Reed, an acclaimed American author and playwright, was born into a creative and inventive family. His father, an inventor, and his artistic mother raised Philip alongside his elder sister and two younger brothers. The family's frequent relocations exposed him to diverse environments, including Minneapolis, New York, and Indiana.
Growing up, Philip's fascination with literature stemmed from his insomnia, which led him to spend countless nights immersed in books. Inspired by literary giants like Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Ernest Hemingway, he yearned to pen his own adventurous tales.
Education and Struggles
In the second grade, the Reed family settled in Concord, Massachusetts, home to literary icons Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Philip developed an affinity for these writers during his frequent visits to the local library, where he gazed upon their marble statues.
Later, the family relocated to Oxford, England, where Philip immersed himself in sports and outdoor pursuits. He excelled on the school's rugby, cricket, and lacrosse teams, and even replicated Huckleberry Finn's raft adventure on the River Thames. However, his academic performance suffered as his enthusiasm for reading, sports, and tinkering with old cars surpassed his interest in studies.
Despite his struggles, Philip's determination to write persisted. His English assignments displayed a flair for storytelling but were marred by vagueness and errors. A football coach's recommendation earned him admission to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. There, he finally excelled academically, thanks to the encouragement of a supportive professor.
Early Career and Writing
While trying different jobs, including driving for a wealthy family and working as a room-service waiter, Philip began contributing articles to the Christian Science Monitor. These writings paved the way for his role as a reporter at the City News Bureau of Chicago.
For two years, Philip covered the crime beat, immersing himself in a world of murders, robberies, fires, explosions, train wrecks, and suicides. The experiences he gathered during this time proved invaluable for his future writing.
In Denver, Colorado, Philip continued his crime-reporting career at The Rocky Mountain News, where his wife Vivian's screenplay caught the attention of a Hollywood agent. The couple relocated to Los Angeles with hopes of breaking into the entertainment industry.
Theater and Television
In Hollywood, Philip found work as a theater critic for The Hollywood Drama-Logue. After reviewing countless plays, he wrote and directed his first stage production, True Blues. This launched a successful career as a playwright, with subsequent works including Miami Vice, Boondoggle, Vacancy in Paradise, and Nightside, some co-written with Vivian. Additionally, he penned numerous television scripts.
Books and Novels
In 1990, Philip published his first book, an automotive buying guide. This was followed by a series of automotive and computer-related books. His experience writing Allen Funt's biography inspired him to venture into fiction.
Philip's debut novel, Bird Dog, was released in 1997. Low Rider followed in 1998, and The Marquis de Fraud in 2001. His writing continues to captivate readers with its engaging plots and memorable characters.
Personal Life
Philip Reed is married to Vivian, a screenwriter, and they have two sons, Andrew and Tony.
