Peter Simpson Hedges was born July 6, 1962 in Des Moines Iowa. He attended North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied drama. His 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. In 2007, he co-wrote and directed Dan in Real Life. He wrote and directed The Odd Life of Timothy Green in 2012. His plays include: Imaging Brad, Baby Anger, Teddy by the Sea, and Good as New. His other novels include An Ocean in Iowa and The Heights.