Nick Schenk (born November 12, 1965) is an American screenwriter known for writing the Clint Eastwood-directed feature film Gran Torino in 2008 for which he won Best Original Screenplay from the National Board of Review.Awards: Best Original Screenplay . - National Board of Review of Motion Pictures. He continued his collaborations with Eastwood on The Mule (2018) and Cry Macho (2021).
Early life Schenk was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in the neighboring city of Fridley. He graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1989.
Career During the mid-1990s, he played the character of Butch the Janitor on the television series, Let's Bowl, during its initial syndicated run. He went on to be a writer for the series during its run on Comedy Central from 2001 to 2002. He also made appearances in small roles during this time.
In 2007, Nick Schenk was a writer and producer for Bodog Fight (the mixed-martial arts competition television show) when his screenplay for Gran Torino was optioned by Jenette Kahn. When Clint Eastwood read it, he not only decided to direct and star in it but he also insisted that not a word be changed by the studio. Subsequently, the only script changes made were to tailor it to the location where it was shot (Michigan) as opposed to Minnesota where it was originally set.Yuen, Laura. - "'Gran Torino' a movie made in Minnesota, almost". - Minnesota Public Radio. - January 8, 2009.
On February 26, 2021, Nick signed on with the representative company Management 360.
In 2022, Schenk wrote and executive produced a sequel to the 1983 film A Christmas Story entitled A Christmas Story Christmas for Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max.
Filmography Films
+ Year Title Credited as Director 2008 Gran Torino Story, screenplay 2014 Story, screenplay 2018 Screenplay 2021 Cry Macho Screenplay 2022 A Christmas Story Christmas Story, screenplay, executive producer TBA Bitcoin Screenplay
Television + Year Title Notes 2015 Narcos "Written by" – 2 episodes 2016 Harley and the Davidsons "Teleplay by" – 2 episodes; "Story by" – 1 episode 2017; 2020 Manhunt "Story by" – 1 episode; "Written by" – 2 episodes
References
Further reading Tapley, Kristopher. - PAGE TO SCREEN: "Gran Torino" by Nick Schenk. - InContention.com. - September 9, 2008. Covert, Colin. - "A Twin Cities writer's 'Gran' slam". - Star Tribune. - January 8, 2009. Schein, Louisa. - "Eastwood’s Next Film Features Hmong American Cast: Exclusive Interviews From the Set of 'Gran Torino'". - AsianWeek. - October 3, 2008.
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