Who Is He, Simon Rich
Simon Rich is an American humorist, novelist, and screenwriter born on June 5, 1984, in New York City. He’s best known for his short‑story collections (many in The New Yorker), novels adapted into TV and film, and work as a writer for Saturday Night Live and Pixar-related projects.
Early Years & Family Background
Simon grew up in a literary household: his father, Frank Rich, was a prominent New York Times columnist; his mother, Gail Winston, was a book editor; and his older brother, Nathaniel Rich, is also a writer. The family is Jewish culturally, though not religiously observant during his upbringing.
He attended the Town School and then the Dalton School in New York before going on to Harvard University, where he became president of the Harvard Lampoon. By the time he graduated in 2007, he had already secured a two-book deal.
Early Career Breakthroughs
Shortly after graduation, at just 23, Simon was hired as one of the youngest writers ever on Saturday Night Live (2007–2011). While there, he contributed to a team nominated for multiple Emmys and winning Writers Guild awards.
His first collection, Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations, was published in 2007, followed by Free Range Chickens in 2008– these showcased his surreal, comedic voice and garnered attention in prestigious outlets like The New Yorker.
Growth, Challenges & Expanding Media
After leaving SNL in 2011, Simon began working at Pixar as a staff writer, contributing to Inside Out (story material) and The Secret Life of Pets.
In 2013, his collection The Last Girlfriend on Earth was published—and adapted into the TV series Man Seeking Woman, which premiered in 2015. That same year, he wrote for The Simpsons.
In 2020, Simon wrote and produced the film An American Pickle, starring Seth Rogen. He also created the anthology TV series Miracle Workers (2019–2023).
Recent Work & Achievements
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Books: Hits & Misses (2018) won the Thurber Prize for American Humor; New Teeth (2021); Glory Days(2024).
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Awards: Multiple Emmy and Writers Guild nominations and wins during the SNL era; Hits & Misses earned the Thurber Prize in 2019.
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Theater: His first play, All In, based on his stories, is set to open on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre in December 2024.
He continues publishing short stories in The New Yorker, including pieces as recent as May 2024.
Personal Life, Residence & Other Details
Simon now resides in Los Angeles with his wife, author Kathleen Hale, and their two daughters.
On religion, while culturally Jewish, Simon has identified as an atheist, noting later that he’s “not sure about anything”—suggesting an openness or ambivalence rather than firm atheism.
— What We Don’t Know
Information such as exact height, weight, body measurements, hip size, bra size, eye color, hair color, horoscope, etc., is not publicly available and is typically considered private. As such, they’re omitted.
FAQ
Q: What’s Simon Rich’s full name?
A: Simon Rich.
Q: When and where was he born?
A: June 5, 1984, in New York City, USA.
Q: What does he do?
A: He’s a humorist, novelist, screenwriter, and occasional actor.
Q: Where did he go to school?
A: Attended Town School, Dalton School, then Harvard University (BA, 2007).
Q: How did he rise to fame?
A: Early success at Harvard Lampoon → hired by SNL at age 23 → published acclaimed humor books → adapted into TV and film → continued writing prose and creating series.
Q: Family background?
A: Son of Frank Rich (columnist) and Gail Winston (book editor); brother of writer Nathaniel Rich; culturally Jewish background.
Q: Where does he live now, and with whom?
A: Lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Kathleen Hale, and two daughters.
Q: Any notable awards?
A: Multiple WGA and Emmy nominations; winners of WGA series awards (2009, 2010); Thurber Prize for American Humor for Hits & Misses (2019).