Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Gillian Flynn
February 24, 1971
Kansas City, Missouri, US
55 Years Old
Pisces
Who Is Gillian Flynn?
Gillian Flynn is an American author, screenwriter, and producer, known for her darkly entertaining psychological thrillers. Her work often delves into the complexities of human nature and unsettling mysteries.
Her breakout moment arrived with the publication of her 2012 novel, Gone Girl, which became an international bestseller and a cultural phenomenon. The book's intricate plot and twisted characters captivated millions of readers worldwide.
Early Life and Education
Gillian Flynn grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, in a household immersed in academics. Her mother, Judith Ann Schieber, was a reading-comprehension professor, and her father, Edwin Matthew Flynn, taught film. This environment fostered her early love for reading and storytelling, influenced by her father's passion for horror films.
Flynn pursued her education at the University of Kansas, earning undergraduate degrees in English and journalism. She later attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, completing a master's degree in 1997. Initially aspiring to be a crime reporter, she ultimately shifted her focus to creative writing.
Notable Relationships
A string of high-profile romances has not marked Gillian Flynn, as she maintains a more private personal life. She married lawyer Brett Nolan in 2007, having met him during graduate school.
Flynn shares two children with Nolan, a son born in 2010 and a daughter born in 2014. The family resides in Chicago.
Career Highlights
Gillian Flynn's literary career is distinguished by a trio of critically acclaimed psychological thrillers. Her debut, Sharp Objects, published in 2006, garnered awards including the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. Dark Places followed in 2009, also becoming a New York Times bestseller.
Her third novel, Gone Girl, released in 2012, became an international sensation, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. Flynn adapted Gone Girl into a successful 2014 film screenplay, and later co-wrote and executive produced the 2018 HBO adaptation of Sharp Objects. She also co-wrote the 2018 film Widows with director Steve McQueen.
Signature Quote
“I like the discipline of writing a script. You can't go into the character's head – you have to find these creative ways to help externalize what they're thinking.”