 | Kristen Buckley...
|
 | Grows up on the mean streets of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Oldest of four siblings, the younger three, all adopted from Korea (incidentally, all three terrible at math thus debunking the 'brilliant Asian' stereotype). Other 'siblings' include, an older step-sister and 'Becky the Runaway' who sought refuge after nearly being sexually assaulted (on more than one occasion) by the orangutan Mr. Jiggs, from whom she was renting a room. |
| At 12, develops a nasty case of planter warts on the soles of her feet. Unable to attend Karate class; begins playing guitar. Takes lessons from step-mother's cousin, John Pizzarelli. |
| Spends entire adolescence playing guitar and running amuck with adopted Korean siblings. Activities include, nightly raids of local fruit orchards; "Borrowing' parent's car (sans license) to procure liquor with step-sister's driver license; Cutting school on a weekly basis (to home study); Holding large parties in the basement while trying to convince her mother that the noise that woke her was actually the 'stereo'. |
| Relationship with Pizzarelli sours when he threatens to 'call the cops' over a misunderstanding involving crappy old borrowed amplifier. |
| Avoids jail by returning amplifier. |
| Allegedly attends High School in New Jersey, but cuts out daily to crash afternoon theory and improv classes at LaGuardia School of Music and Arts in NYC. Takes private lessons with Sal Salvador (legendary obese guitarist). Also attends Manhattan School of Music Pre-College on weekends. Plots revenge against Pizzarelli (who's playing she always found to be over-rated). |
| Moves to NYC at 18. Rents a room in the horrific HOTEL GREYSTONE. Neighbors include a woman who fries fish at all hours of the night and a devout Buddhist whose repetitive 'nameyorengeyo' chant causes her walls to vibrate. |
| Attends Manhattan School of Music and after a year, promptly drops out. |
| Ekes out an existence as a musician, playing local bars, etc. Works as a waitress to make ends meet. |
| Unable to embrace the starving musician lifestyle, quits playing guitar and returns to school. Attends Hunter College. Plans to graduate in three years and attend Law School (mother overjoyed). |
| Manages only to attend Professor Leoff's Romantic Poetry Class. Takes her cue from the Romantics; quits school and begins writing. Concerned mother plans intervention.
|
| With no degree, and no marketable skills to speak of, manages to find work in the film business (where else?). Begins as an intern (holds Leo DiCaprio's cigarette between takes), then as a production assistant (tells Sam Waterston to change his clothes between takes), then finally, a book scout for the big man himself... Scott Rudin (mother delights at procurement of health benefits).
|
| Sells first screenplay REPO GIRLS (with Drew Barrymore attached) moves to LA...Survives trial by fire in screenwriting world...
|
| Five years later, desperate to have more control over her writing, spends nights working on THE PARKER GREY SHOW. Sells publishing rights to Berkley Books, film rights to New Line Cinema.
|
| Meanwhile, HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (co-written with Brian Regan) ends up being a huge hit (kudos to Kate Hudson of course and Matthew for looking so damn cute --- who knew?). Phone rings off the hook... But all she really wants is to write novels!
|
| Currently lives in Los Angeles with Brian Regan (writing partner/significant other/father of her children/not the comedian/not the spy) and has two kids; daughter Peyton (4) and son Liam (1); and a large gaseous bullmastiff named Bogart. |
|
|
|
