Peter Hedges

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. He attended Valley High School, where he was involved in the theater department, including the improvisional 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, which launched his film career. In 2002, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy. 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. 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 children, Simon and Academy Award-nominated actor Lucas Hedges.