Diablo Cody

Diablo Cody

Born Brook Busey
(1978-06-14) June 14, 1978
Lemont, Illinois, United States
Other names Brook Maurio
Alma mater University of Iowa
Occupation Screenwriter, TV producer, film producer, film director, author, journalist, memoirist, stripper, exotic dancer, blogger
Years active 2005–present
Spouse(s) Jon Hunt (m. 2004; div. 2007)
Dan Maurio (m. 2009)
Children 2

Brook Busey-Maurio (born June 14, 1978), better known by the pen name Diablo Cody,[1] is an American screenwriter, producer, director, author, journalist, memoirist, stripper and exotic dancer. She first became known for her candid chronicling of her year as a stripper in her "The Pussy Ranch" blog and in her memoir Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper (2005). Later, Cody achieved critical acclaim for her debut script Juno (2007), winning awards such as the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay.

She is also known for creating, writing and producing Showtime's television series United States of Tara (2009–2011) and for writing and producing the films Jennifer's Body (2009) and Young Adult (2011). For the latter, she received a second nomination for the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay.[2] Her directorial debut, Paradise, was released on October 18, 2013.[3][4][5]

Early life and career

Cody and her older brother Marc were born and raised in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She is the daughter of Pam and Greg Busey.[6] Her mother is of Italian descent and her father is of British ancestry.[7] Cody was raised Catholic[8] and attended Benet Academy, a Roman Catholic school in Lisle, Illinois. She took the pen name Diablo Cody (diablo is Spanish for "devil") after repeatedly listening to the song "El Diablo" by Arcadia[9] while passing through Cody, Wyoming.[10] She graduated from the University of Iowa with a media studies degree.[11] While at the University of Iowa, she worked in the acquisitions department in the main university library.[12] Her first jobs were doing secretarial work at a Chicago law firm and later proofreading copy for advertisements that played on Twin Cities radio stations.

Cody began a parody blog called Red Secretary, detailing the (fictional) exploits of a secretary living in Belarus.[13] The events were thinly-veiled allegories for events that happened in Cody's real life, but told from the perspective of a disgruntled, English-idiom-challenged Eastern Bloc girl.

Her first bona fide blog appeared under the nickname Darling Girl after she had moved from Chicago to Minneapolis, Minnesota.[13]

Stripping and journalism

On a whim, Cody signed up for amateur night at a Minneapolis strip club called the Skyway Lounge.[11] Having enjoyed the experience, she eventually quit her day job to become a full-time feminist stripper.[14] Cody also spent time working peep shows at Sex World, a Minneapolis adult novelty and DVD store.

While still stripping, Cody began writing for City Pages, an alternative Twin Cities weekly newspaper.[11] She left City Pages just before it changed editorial hands, and has since written for the now-defunct Jane magazine. In December 2007,[15] Cody began writing a column for the magazine Entertainment Weekly.

At the age of 27, Cody wrote her memoir Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper. The memoir began after Mason Novick, who would soon become Cody's manager, showed interest in her sharp and sarcastic voice. Based on the popularity "The Pussy Ranch" had received, he was able to secure her a publishing contract with Gotham Books.

Screenwriting

Cody, January 2008

After completion of her book, Cody was encouraged by Mason Novick to write her first screenplay.[10] Within months she wrote Juno, a coming-of-age story about a teenager's unplanned pregnancy. The Jason Reitman-directed comedy stars Ellen Page and Michael Cera.[16]

In July 2007, Showtime announced that it would be producing a pilot of Cody's DreamWorks television series, United States of Tara. Based on an idea by Steven Spielberg, Tara is a comedy about a mother with dissociative identity disorder, starring Toni Collette.[17] The series began filming in Spring 2008, and premiered on January 18, 2009.

In October 2007, Cody sold a script titled Girly Style to Universal Studios, and a horror script called Jennifer's Body to Fox Atomic.[18] Released on September 18, 2009, Jennifer's Body starred Megan Fox as the title character and Amanda Seyfried as the supporting character.[19] She revised writer-director Steven Antin's script for his musical film Burlesque.[20]

Cody is a friend of screenwriters Dana Fox (What Happens in Vegas, Couples Retreat) and Lorene Scafaria (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) and they often write their screenplays together in order to get advice from one another.[21]

Cody made a small cameo appearance as herself in the U.S. broadcast television series 90210 (2008). She appeared in the same episode that marked the return of Tori Spelling as Donna Martin, in which Cody needed Spelling's character to make a dress for a red carpet event.

In 2009, Cody signed on to script and produce a film adaptation of the Sweet Valley High young adult book series.[22] In 2011, she was brought in to revise first-time feature director Fede Alvarez's script for a remake of Sam Raimi's 1980s horror film The Evil Dead.[23]

Since October, 2011, Cody has hosted an online celebrity interview program called "Red Band Trailer," on the broadband channel, L-studio.[24] She originally launched the series privately on YouTube in summer 2010, and the Lexus channel picked it up the following year.

On the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, on February 24, 2012, she said her next project would be directing her first film, which is about a young woman who abandons religion after surviving a plane crash. In February 2013, she said that the film is called Paradise (firstly known as Lamb of God). Julianne Hough, Holly Hunter, Octavia Spencer and Russell Brand are in the cast. Mandate Pictures produced it.[25][26]

Cody is the spokesperson of Barnard College's Athena Film Festival.[27]

Projects

In May 2013, it was announced that Cody will host her own talk show, Me Time with Diablo Cody, at TBS. The program will tailor "around Diablo’s unique perspective on all things pop culture and told in her very own tongue-in-cheek way," and "reveal a side of Hollywood and celebs that the public very rarely gets to see." Steve Agee will be presenting and writing with her as well. Cody is also a producer, alongside Mark Cronin and Courtland Cox. The pilot of the talk show is in works.[28][29]

She is currently developing a teen-drama TV series with Josh Schwartz for Fox called Prodigy. According to the The Hollywood Reporter, it is about "a 16-year-old genius who through home schooling has been isolated from her peers. Hoping to experience a “normal” teen social life before she enters the adult world of academia, she enrolls in her local high school. Her experiment goes off the rails when she finds herself adopted by a wild crowd, getting caught up in a whirlwind of romance and crime."[30][31] Cody is also linked to Warner Bros. Television's romantic comedy Alex +Amy.[32]

Personal life

In her book, she wrote fondly of her boyfriend "Jonny" (musician Jon Hunt of Minneapolis psych-folk band, Lovely Dark). They were married from 2004 until 2007, during which time she was known in personal life as Brook Busey-Hunt.[11]

On April 6, 2010, Cody announced that she was expecting her first child with her husband Dan Maurio, who worked on Chelsea Lately, on which Cody also appeared frequently as a "roundtable" guest. The couple married in the summer of 2009.[33] Their son was born in 2010.[34] Cody had her second child in 2012.[35]

As of 2008, Cody resides in Los Angeles.[17]

Nominations and awards

Juno was runner-up for the Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award, won second prize at the Rome Film Festival, and earned four Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. Cody herself won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for her debut script, which also picked up a Golden Globe nomination and an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay. She also won screenplay honors from BAFTA, the Writers Guild of America, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the National Board of Review, the Satellite Awards, and the 2008 Cinema for Peace Award for Most Valuable Work of Director, Producer & Screenwriter (which she shared with Jason Reitman, John Malkovich, Mason Novick, Russel Smith and Lianne Halfon).[36]

For Young Adult, Cody was nominated by awards associations such as the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Writers Guild of America. With Reitman, the director, and the actors Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt, she shared the Chairman's Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. In 2012, the Fempire, the collaboration of writers Cody, Dana Fox, Liz Meriwether, and Lorene Scafaria received the Creativity and Sisterhood Award from the Athena Film Festival for their support for one another in the competitive film industry.[37]

Works

Films

Year Feature film Credit/Role Notes Ref.
2007 Juno Writer Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay
Broadcast Film Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Cinema for Peace Award for Most Valuable Work of Director, Producer & Screenwriter
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Christopher Award for Feature Films
Dallas Fort-Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Hollywood Film Festival Breakthrough Screenwriter of the Year Award
Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay
National Board of Review Award for Best Original Screenplay
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay
Nominated – Humanitas Prize – Feature Film Category 		[38]
[39]
[36]
2009 Jennifer's Body Writer, executive producer [40]
2010 Burlesque Script revision (uncredited) [41]
2011 Young Adult Writer, producer Hollywood Film Festival Screenwriter of the Year Award
Palm Springs International Film Festival – Chairman's Vanguard Award
Nominated – Broadcast Film Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated – Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay 		[42]
[43]
2013 The Magic Bracelet Writer (story by Rina Goldberg)Short film directed by Jon Poll [44]
2013 Evil Dead Script revision (uncredited) [45]
2013 Paradise Director, writer, executive producer
2015 Ricki and the Flash Writer 2015 [46]
TBA Time and a Half Writer Julianne Hough is set to star and Ol Parker to direct [47]
TBA Sweet Valley High Writer A musical based on the book series created by Francine Pascal[48]
TBA Barbie Writer A movie based on Barbie

Television

Year TV series Credit/Role Notes Ref.
2008 Sunday Morning Shootout Herself #5.13 [49]
2009 United States of Tara Creator, writer, executive producer 2009–2011
90210 Herself "Okaeri, Donna!": #1.19 [50]
2010 Childrens Hospital Writer "Show Me on Montana": #2.10 [51]
2011 Robot Chicken Herself/Diana the Acrobat/Martha Kent "Catch Me If You Kangaroo Jack": #5.9 [52]
TBA Alex + Amy Creator, writer, executive producer (project sold to ABC) Mason Novick, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will be producing with Cody [32]
TBA Prodigy Creator, writer (pilot sold to Fox) Josh Schwartz is developing the series with Cody [53]

Videos

Year Video Credit/Role Notes Ref.
2010 Tight Writer [54]
2008 Sincerely Yours Actress [55]

References

  1. ↑ "What Makes Diablo Cody Unique Now Gets Pans". Associated Press via MSNBC. 2008-02-29. Archived from the original on July 1, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  2. ↑ "WGA Awards Nominations Announced". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  3. ↑ Calfas, Jennifer (7 August 2013). "Diablo Cody Celebrates 'Paradise,' Her Directorial Debut, With Hollywood Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  4. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (5 October 2011). "Diablo Cody Re-Launches Her 'Red Band Trailer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Kira Cochrane (2013-01-08). "2013 preview: the cultural year ahead for women | Life and style". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  6. ↑ Schaults, Janine (9 December 2007). "From Lemont to Hollywood, with a pole dance in between". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G23CRWNF3IU; stated at 19:55
  8. ↑ "Diablo Cody Says No". (interview), Inked. September 2009. Archived from the original on March 16, 2011.
  9. ↑ Valby, Karen (November 5, 2007). "Diablo Cody: From Ex-Stripper to A-Lister". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  10. 1 2 "Ex-stripper in movie spotlight". CNN. 2008-01-23. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Desson, Thomson (2007-12-15). "Hollywood takes a shine to 'Juno' writer's body of work". The Washington Post via Boston.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  12. ↑ "Former Student Assistant Wins Oscar". University of Iowa Libraries. February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  13. 1 2 Abramowitz, Rachel (2007-12-06). "Diablo Cody: From stripper to screenwriter". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  14. ↑ Scott, Megan (2006-03-10). "Unlikely pole dancer tells strippers' story". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  15. ↑ "Diablo Cody: As the Crowe Flies?". EW.com. 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  16. ↑ "First Look". Entertainment Weekly (1034): 7. February 13, 2009.
  17. 1 2 Dawson, Jeff (2008-01-20). "Diablo Cody, lap dancer turned ace screenwriter". London: Times Online. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  18. ↑ Covert, Colin (2007-12-07). "Interview: Diablo Cody: Dancing as fast as she can". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  19. ↑ Covert, Colin (2007-12-07). "In Defense Of 'Jennifer’s Body'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  20. ↑ Fleming, Michael (October 15, 2007). "Screen Gems enlists Antin for 'Burlesque'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  21. ↑ Slotek, Jim (September 7, 2008). "The Fempire strikes back". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  22. ↑ McNary, Dave (23 September 2009). "Diablo Cody takes on 'Sweet Valley'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  23. ↑ McIntyre, Gina (July 13, 2011). "'Evil Dead' remake: Diablo Cody polishing script for first-time director". Los Angeles Times.
  24. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (5 October 2011). "Diablo Cody Re-Launches Her ‘Red Band Trailer’ Web Talk Show On L Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  25. ↑ "Diablo Cody Talks PARADISE, SWEET VALLEY HIGH, and the Athena Film Festival". Collider. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  26. ↑ "Diablo Cody Making Directing Debut with Lamb of God". ComingSoon.net. 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  27. ↑ "Diablo Cody Opens Up About Her Passion Project". Athena Film Festival. 2013-01-28. Archived from the original on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  28. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Diablo Cody Gets Sidekick For Her TBS Talk Show Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  29. ↑ "TBS is Developing a Talk Show With Diablo Cody | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews". Indiewire. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  30. ↑ "Diablo Cody Talks PARADISE, Being "Scared Shitless," PRODIGY, SWEET VALLEY HIGH, and More". Collider. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  31. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (2013-10-04). "Diablo Cody Teams With Fake Empire for Fox Teen Drama 'Prodigy'". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  32. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (2011-11-17). "Diablo Cody Developing Romantic Comedy at ABC". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  33. ↑ "Diablo Cody Expecting a Baby!". Celebrity Moms. 2010-04-06.
  34. ↑ "@diablocody". Twitter. 2010-07-27.
  35. ↑ Silverstein, Melissa (October 31, 2013). "Pregnant Lady Can Be in a Position of Power and Crazy Shit Won't Happen - Diablo Cody". IndieWire. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  36. 1 2 Michael Jones (2008-02-12). "Berlin’s Peace Awards bring in celebs". Variety. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  37. ↑ "2012 Athena Award Winners". Athena Film Festival. Retrieved 2015-02-13.
  38. ↑ Awards for Juno at the Internet Movie Database
  39. ↑ Awards for Diablo Cody at the Internet Movie Database
  40. ↑ Jennifer's Body at the Internet Movie Database
  41. ↑ Burlesque (2010) - Trivia - IMDb
  42. ↑ Young Adult at the Internet Movie Database
  43. ↑ Awards for Young Adult at the Internet Movie Database
  44. ↑ The Magic Bracelet (2013) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
  45. ↑ Evil Dead (2013) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
  46. ↑ Ricki and the Flash at the Internet Movie Database
  47. ↑ "Julianne Hough to Star in TIME AND A HALF, Written by Diablo Cody | Collider | Page 187175". Collider. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  48. ↑ "'Sweet Valley High' To Be A Musical, Diablo Cody Confirms - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  49. ↑ "Episode #5.13" at the Internet Movie Database
  50. ↑ "Okaeri, Donna!" at the Internet Movie Database
  51. ↑ "Show Me on Montana" at the Internet Movie Database
  52. ↑ "Catch Me If You Kangaroo Jack" at the Internet Movie Database
  53. ↑ Barrett, Annie (2013-10-04). "Fox picks up Diablo Cody, Josh Schwartz teen drama pilot | Inside TV | EW.com". Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  54. ↑ Tight (Video 2010) at the Internet Movie Database
  55. ↑ Sincerely Yours

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