Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
David Sedaris
December 26, 1956
Johnson City, New York, US
69 Years Old
Capricorn
Who Is David Sedaris?
David Raymond Sedaris is an American humorist, author, and radio contributor, recognized for his sardonic wit and insightful autobiographical essays. He has cultivated a distinctive literary voice that transforms everyday observations into compelling narratives.
His breakout moment came in 1992 when National Public Radio broadcast his essay "Santaland Diaries," recounting his experiences as a Christmas elf. This acclaimed reading garnered widespread attention and launched his career into the public eye, establishing him as a celebrated storyteller.
Early Life and Education
His family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where David Sedaris was raised as the second of six children. His father, Louis Harry Sedaris, was an IBM engineer, and his mother, Sharon Elizabeth Leonard, provided an often-humorous family dynamic.
Sedaris briefly attended Western Carolina University and Kent State University before graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1987. During these formative years, he began keeping the extensive diaries that would later become a hallmark of his celebrated writing career.
Notable Relationships
A long-term relationship has defined David Sedaris's personal life with painter and set designer Hugh Hamrick, whom he met in New York City in 1991. Their partnership is frequently referenced in Sedaris's humorous essays, offering readers an intimate glimpse into their shared experiences.
Sedaris and Hamrick later married for practical reasons, highlighting their unique approach to commitment beyond traditional ceremony. He has no children.
Career Highlights
David Sedaris achieved widespread recognition with his 1992 National Public Radio debut, reading the now-iconic essay "Santaland Diaries." This humorous account of his time as a department store elf captivated listeners and quickly became a highly requested annual broadcast.
His literary success expanded with numerous bestselling essay collections, including Me Talk Pretty One Day, which earned the Thurber Prize for American Humor in 2001. Sedaris is also a regular contributor to The New Yorker and BBC Radio 4, further solidifying his place in contemporary humor writing.
To date, Sedaris has received five Grammy Award nominations for his spoken-word and comedy albums, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2019, cementing his influence in American literature.
Signature Quote
"If you read someone else's diary, you get what you deserve."