Fauna Hodel (August 1, 1951 – September 30, 2017) was an American author and motivational speaker, who wrote the true-crime memoir One Day She'll Darken: The Mysterious Beginnings of Fauna Hodel, documenting her unusual beginnings and the connection to her grandfather, George Hodel, a suspect in the Black Dahlia murder mystery.
Early life Born August 1, 1951, in San Francisco, Hodel was the first child of 16-year-old Tamar Nais Hodel, and also the granddaughter of Los Angeles doctor and socialite George Hodel.Chambers, Hannah. "The Wild, True Story That Inspired 'I Am the Night': So. Many. Plot. Twists," Cosmopolitan (January 25, 2019). Through her maternal grandfather, Fauna was of Russian-Jewish ancestry. Fauna's birth father was unknown, and the troubled Tamar gave up Fauna for adoption. Because her father was listed on her birth certificate as an "unknown Negro", Fauna was adopted by an African-American family in Reno, Nevada. Told she was multiracial, Fauna was raised by Jimmie Lee Greenwade (later Faison)"Jimmie Lee," One Day She'll Darken website. Accessed Feb. 13, 2019. and given the name "Patricia Ann Greenwade"."I am the Night (2019)," History vs. Hollywood. Accessed Feb. 13, 2019. She spent her formative years not knowing her name or biological parentage.
Fauna later learned about her origins, which revealed her connection to the controversial 1949 incest trial of George Hodel, following accusations by Tamar, as well as George Hodel's connection to the still-unsolved Black Dahlia case.
Career Hodel's unique perspective on adoption, race relations, and her family history led her to write the unreleased 1991 film Pretty Hattie's Baby, directed by Ivan Passer and starring Alfre Woodard.Dubner, Stephen. "WOMAN OF STEAL," Washington Post (September 26, 1993)."Pretty Hattie's Baby," Internet Move Database. Accessed Feb. 13, 2019. Hodel served as the film's executive producer and creative consultant. One Day She'll Darken website. Accessed Feb. 13. 2019.
Her memoir One Day She'll Darken: The Mysterious Beginnings of Fauna Hodel (written with J. R. Briamonte) was published by Outskirts Press in 2008. It was re-published in 2019 by Graymalkin Media, including an eight-page photo insert from Hodel's personal collection. The book inspired I Am the Night, a 2019 six-episode limited television series starring Chris Pine and India Eisley, directed by Patty Jenkins.
Hodel spent much of the 2000s as a motivational speaker, talking about racial equality and human rights.
Personal life Hodel had two children, Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro.Reilly, Phoebe. "‘I Am the Night’: Patty Jenkins and Chris Pine Explore the Black Dahlia Mystery," New York Times (Jan. 24, 2019). In February 2019, it was announced that Gentile and Pecoraro were producing a podcast, Root of Evil, which delves further into the book, the miniseries adaptation, and their family history.Gallagher, Caitlin. "What Does The Hodel Family Think Of 'I Am The Night'? Fauna's Daughters Have Given Their Stamp Of Approval," Bustle February 4, 2019.McDonnell-Parry, Amelia. "New Podcast Explores Black Dahlia Murder: ‘Root of Evil’ dives into the story of George Hodel, a primary suspect in Elizabeth Short’s 1947 unsolved murder — and it’s told by his great-granddaughters," Rolling Stone (Feb. 8, 2019).
In February 2019, the eight-episode podcast, Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia, produced by Cadence 13 in conjunction with TNT, premiered. The show ran for eight consecutive weeks and attained a "No. 1 podcast ranking" in the United States.
Death Hodel died of breast cancer at age 66 on September 30, 2017.
Filmography I Am the Night (2019 TV series; writer, co-producer)
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