Ted L. Nancy

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Cover of Letters from a Nut

Ted L. Nancy is the author of a number of prank letters which have been published in a series of bestselling books under the titles Letters from a Nut, More Letters from a Nut and Extra Nutty!: Even More Letters from a Nut.

Although it is "widely rumored" that Nancy is an alter ego of the comedian Jerry Seinfeld^[1], this may just be a canny marketing ploy.^[2] Roger Friedman of Fox News suggested in 2002 that Barry Marder — a longtime Seinfeld collaborator and friend, and the executive producer of the ABC pilot based on the letters (which never made it to the air) — is the real source;^[3] and a 2002 Los Angeles Times article suggested that comedian Bruce Baum was the author. [1] At any rate, Seinfeld claims to have "discovered" the material and provides an introduction for each of the books.

Nancy specializes in letters to unsuspecting celebrities and organizations; these missives typically consist of off-the-wall queries and much of the entertainment derives from the replies as individuals and institutions endeavour to respond politely to the author's often absurd requests and outlandish proposals.

In 2002, a number of news sources reported that Ted L. Nancy — or rather Jerry Seinfeld, who was assumed to be behind the prank — incurred the wrath of Hunter S. Thompson by embroiling the gonzo Godfather in one such correspondence. Thompson allegedly accused Seinfeld of pitching the letters as a show idea to ABC and objected to having his name associated with what he regarded as a cheap stunt. ^[4] However, perhaps in keeping with the playful spirit of forgery and pranksterism surrounding the Nancy letters, the authenticity of Thompson's response has, subsequently, also been brought into question.^[5] ^[6]