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— CH. 1 · BRONX ROOTS AND ACADEMIC PATHS —

Jonathan Tropper

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
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  • Jonathan Tropper was born on the 19th of February 1970 in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. He grew up in a liberal observant Jewish home that shaped his early worldview. During his childhood years he attended Camp Morasha, a co-ed Modern Orthodox sleepaway camp located in the Poconos mountains. At age 18 he briefly studied in Israel before returning to New York for higher education. He studied English as an undergraduate at Yeshiva University where he built foundational knowledge. Later he received a master's degree in creative writing from New York University. These academic paths provided the structure for his future literary career.

  • After receiving his master's degree from NYU Tropper spent eight years running a Manhattan-based company. The business manufactured displays for jewelry companies and kept him busy during weekdays. He wrote stories at night and on weekends while maintaining this full-time job. His persistence paid off when he published his first novel Plan B. This book attracted the attention of an agent who helped him secure representation. The deal allowed him to leave his manufacturing job and become a full-time writer. Five of his six books have been optioned at auction within a week of publication. This rapid success marked a dramatic shift from his previous career in display manufacturing.

  • Tropper co-created the television series Banshee with David Schickler in 2013. The show aired on Cinemax and ran until 2016. He served as an executive producer on the project throughout its run. In October 2017 it was announced that his series Warrior received a straight-to-series order. Based on Bruce Lee's original idea the show was set against the Tong Wars of 19th century San Francisco. The series debuted on Cinemax in April 2019 to critical acclaim. Tropper served as showrunner and executive producer for the entire duration. Justin Lin directed multiple Fast and Furious films and Shannon Lee served as executive producers alongside him. In 2020 Tropper took over as showrunner and executive producer of the Apple TV+ science fiction series See. The show starred Jason Momoa Alfre Woodard and Dave Bautista before ending in 2022.

  • Tropper wrote the screenplay for the 2014 film adaptation of his novel This Is Where I Leave You. Shawn Levy directed the movie which co-starred Jason Bateman Tina Fey Adam Driver and Jane Fonda. He later produced and wrote the screenplay for Kodachrome released in 2017. The film starred Jason Sudeikis Ed Harris and Elizabeth Olsen. It debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews. Netflix acquired the film after its festival debut. Tropper also wrote the screenplay for The Adam Project a science-fiction thriller starring Ryan Reynolds. Shawn Levy directed this project as well. His most recent novel One Last Thing Before I Go was published in August 2012. Paramount Pictures optioned that book for J. J. Abrams to produce.

  • Tropper's hometown of New Rochelle in Westchester County serves as a main source of inspiration. He draws characters and settings from this location when creating books. The themes of his books stem directly from his personal experiences with relationships. They deal with topics such as being single growing up getting married and getting divorced. Living in suburbia forms another recurring theme throughout his work. He has three children with his first wife Elizabeth Parker. In 2016 he married Stephanie Abram with whom he has one child. These personal details ground his fiction in real emotional landscapes.

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1970 births20th-century American Jews20th-century American male writers20th-century American novelists21st-century American Jews21st-century American male writers21st-century American novelistsAmerican male novelistsAmerican male screenwritersAmerican male television writersAmerican showrunnersAmerican television directorsAmerican television writersFilm producers from New York (state)Jewish American novelistsJewish American screenwritersJewish American television writersManhattanville University facultyNew York University alumniNovelists from New York (state)Screenwriters from New York (state)Television producers from New York (state)Writers from New Rochelle, New York

Common questions

When was Jonathan Tropper born and where did he grow up?

Jonathan Tropper was born on the 19th of February 1970 in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. He grew up in a liberal observant Jewish home that shaped his early worldview.

What education did Jonathan Tropper receive before becoming a writer?

Jonathan Tropper studied English as an undergraduate at Yeshiva University and later received a master's degree in creative writing from New York University. These academic paths provided the structure for his future literary career.

Which television series did Jonathan Tropper co-create with David Schickler?

Jonathan Tropper co-created the television series Banshee with David Schickler in 2013. The show aired on Cinemax and ran until 2016 while he served as executive producer throughout its duration.

What film adaptation did Jonathan Tropper write based on his own novel?

Jonathan Tropper wrote the screenplay for the 2014 film adaptation of his novel This Is Where I Leave You. Shawn Levy directed the movie which co-starred Jason Bateman Tina Fey Adam Driver and Jane Fonda.

Where does Jonathan Tropper draw inspiration for his books and what themes do they explore?

Jonathan Tropper draws characters and settings from his hometown of New Rochelle in Westchester County when creating books. The themes of his books stem directly from his personal experiences with relationships including being single growing up getting married and getting divorced.

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