Stephen Chbosky is an American author and filmmaker. He is best known for his debut novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012). It has sold 2.8 million copies in North America alone.
Stephen Chbosky was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the suburb of Upper St Clair Township in a Catholic family that influenced his literary and cinematic interests, especially the works of J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Tennessee Williams. After graduating from Upper St. Clair High School in 1988, he pursued screenwriting at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1992.
Chbosky's early career involved directing the independent film "The Four Corners of Nowhere" in 1995, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. His initial screenwriting works included unproduced scripts such as Audrey Hepburn's Neck and Schoolhouse Rock.
His major literary breakthrough came with the 1999 publication of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This epistolary novel captures the intellectual and emotional maturation of Charlie, a high school freshman. The story resonated with young adults who faced censorship challenges, often being removed from school libraries. By 2013, it had sold over two million copies and was published in 31 languages.
In 2000, Chbosky edited Pieces, an anthology of short stories. He continued his screenwriting career with projects like the screenplay for the 2005 film adaptation of Rent.
Expansion of his television role, Chbosky co-created, produced, and wrote for the CBS drama Jericho in 2006. The show, set post-nuclear attacks, was briefly canceled but revived due to fan campaigns before ending in 2008.
Chbosky returned to his roots by writing and directing the film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower in 2012, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. The film received critical acclaim and several awards.
He later directed the 2017 film Wonder, based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, starring notable actors such as Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay. The film was well-received for its heartwarming narrative.
In 2019, Chbosky published his second novel, Imaginary Friend, a psychological horror. The story revolves around a young boy named Christopher who begins to hear voices and is drawn into a strange world of dark magic and power. This book also became the New York Times bestseller.
Stephen Chbosky currently resides in Los Angeles.
Photo credit: IG @chboskys
