Noah Hawley is an accomplished American author, screenwriter, and producer, renowned for his work in literary fiction, television, and film. He was born on May 10, 1967, in New York City, New York, and grew up in the city alongside his twin brother, Alexi. Hawley's mother, Louise Armstrong, was an acclaimed non-fiction writer and activist, known for her works on women’s issues, feminism, and incest. His father, Tom Hawley, was a businessman.
After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in 1989 with a degree in political science, Hawley worked for the New York City Legal Aid Society, handling cases related to child abuse and neglect. It was during this time that he began writing as a form of release from the confines and sadness of his job. Eventually, Hawley moved to San Francisco, where he worked as a paralegal and did computer programming for various law firms. It was in San Francisco that he joined the "San Francisco Writers' Grotto" and started taking his craft seriously. In 1998, he published his first novel, "A Conspiracy of Tall Men," marking the beginning of his successful writing career.
Over the years, Noah Hawley has established himself as a prominent figure in the literary world, having published four novels, including "A Conspiracy of Tall Men," "Other People's Weddings," "The Punch," and "Before the Fall." In addition to his literary work, Hawley has also made a significant impact in the television and film industries. He has written the screenplay for the film "Lies and Alibis" and created, executive produced, and served as showrunner for ABC's "My Generation" and "The Unusuals." He was also a writer and producer on the hit series "Bones." Currently, Hawley is executive producer, writer, and showrunner for the award-winning FX series "Fargo." His work has earned him numerous accolades, including Emmy, Golden Globe, PEN, Critics' Choice, and Peabody Awards.