Thomas Steinbeck

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Thomas Myles Steinbeck is the eldest son of John Steinbeck, the Nobel Laureate.

1 Biography
2 Career
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Thomas ("Thom") Steinbeck was born on 2 August 1944 in Manhattan, New York, to John and Gwyndolyn Steinbeck. He had a good relationship with his famous father, stating that he would rate him, "an eight-and-a-half or a nine" on a ten-point scale.^[1]

[edit] Military service

Steinbeck went to Vietnam in the 1960s, serving as a helicopter door gunner "through the necessity to continue breathing." After his service there, Thomas Steinbeck returned again in the late 1960's as a combat photographer. ^[2]

[edit] Later life

Along with his writing and producing obligations, Steinbeck is a public speaker, lecturing on American literature, creative writing, and the communication arts. He serves as an honorary board member at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, and is active on the board at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California as well as the Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University.

[edit] Career

Steinbeck has written numerous original screenplays and documentaries, as well as adaptations of his father's work. His book of short stories, Down To A Soundless Sea (2002) was published to critical acclaim by Ballantine Publishing Group. The book is now available in six languages and eight countries. He was also a key contributor to "My California"; a project to raise funding for the California Arts Council. Steinbeck's tutor, the acclaimed playwright Terrance McNally wrote, "These tough, unsparing stories are written as if they were lived, not imagined, by their author. Thomas Steinbeck has found his own voice and he exults in the sound of it. This is authentic, honest American writing. The kind of writing a father would be proud of."^{[citation needed]}

Thomas Steinbeck now resides in California with his wife, Gail.