Graydon Carter is a Canadian journalist, editor, and publisher renowned for his transformative leadership as editor of "Vanity Fair" from 1992 to 2017. During his tenure, the magazine became a cultural touchstone, blending celebrity profiles with incisive investigative journalism. Under his direction, "Vanity Fair" earned 14 National Magazine Awards, cementing Carter's legacy in the industry and securing his induction into the Magazine Editors’ Hall of Fame. Prior to this, he co-founded the satirical publication "Spy" in 1986 alongside Kurt Andersen and Tom Phillips, establishing his reputation as a sharp and influential media figure.
Beyond print journalism, Carter expanded his influence into documentary filmmaking, serving as an executive producer on projects such as "Public Speaking" (2010), "His Way" (2011), and "Gonzo", a film about Hunter S. Thompson. His work on "9/11", a CBS documentary about the September 11 attacks, garnered both an Emmy and a Peabody Award. In 2019, he co-launched the newsletter "Air Mail" with Alessandra Stanley, targeting a global audience with curated cultural and political commentary.
Carter’s career extends beyond media into the hospitality industry, where he co-owned The Waverly Inn in New York and was a partner in the historic Monkey Bar. His contributions to journalism and culture were formally recognized in 2017 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, underscoring his lasting impact on both Canadian and international media landscapes.