Peter Benchley

Peter Bradford Benchley (May 8, 1940 – February 12, 2006) was an American author, best known for his novel Jaws and its subsequent movie adaptation, the latter co-written by Benchley (with Carl Gottlieb) and directed by Steven Spielberg. Several more of his works were also adapted for cinema, including The Deep and The Island.

Peter Benchley
Born
Peter Bradford Benchley

(1940-05-08)May 8, 1940
DiedFebruary 12, 2006(2006-02-12) (aged 65)
Princeton, New Jersey,
United States
Cause of deathPulmonary fibrosis
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarvard University
OccupationAuthor, screenwriter
Years active1975–2006
Known forCreator of Jaws
Spouse(s)Winifred "Wendy" Wesson (1964-2006; his death)
Websitewww.peterbenchley.com

Life

He was the son of Marjorie (née Bradford) and author Nathaniel Benchley and grandson of Algonquin Round Table founder Robert Benchley. His younger brother, Nat Benchley, is a writer and actor. Peter Benchley was an alumnus of Allen-Stevenson School or now known as The Allen-Stevenson School, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Harvard University.

Benchley died of pulmonary fibrosis on February 12, 2006 in Princeton, New Jersey.[1]

Books

  • Jaws (1974)
  • The Deep (1976)
  • The Island (1979)
  • The Girl of the Sea of Cortez (1982)
  • Q Clearance (1986)
  • Rummies (1989)
  • The Beast (1991)
  • White Shark (1994)
  • Creature (re-publishing of White Shark) (1997)

Movies

  • Jaws, 1975 film adaptation; actor: Interviewer.
  • The Deep, 1977 film adaptation
  • Jaws 2, based on characters from Jaws
  • The Island, 1980 film adaptation
  • Jaws 3-D (a.k.a. Jaws 3), based on characters from Jaws
  • Jaws: The Revenge, a fourth film based on characters from Jaws
  • Dolphin Cove, 1989 TV series
  • The Beast, 1996 TV film adaptation
  • Creature, 1998 TV film adaptation
  • Amazon, 1999 TV series
  • Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, 1994 (actor, as Frank Crowninshield)

References

Other websites