Frank Rich

Frank Rich
Peabody Awards · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Frank Rich
Birth date	2 June 1949
Birth place	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Alma mater	Harvard University
Occupation	Columnist, essayist, drama critic, producer
Spouse	Alex Witchel

Frank Rich. An influential American essayist, drama critic, and political columnist, Frank Rich is renowned for his incisive cultural and political commentary. His career spans pivotal roles at The New York Times and as a prominent voice at New York magazine and as a producer for HBO. Rich's work, particularly his long-running column "The Great White Way," established him as a powerful and often controversial critic whose analysis extends from Broadway to the heart of American politics.

Early life and education

Frank Rich was born in Washington, D.C., and his early interest in journalism and the theatre was evident during his time at Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended Harvard University, where he served as the president of The Harvard Crimson, the university's daily student newspaper. His undergraduate years were marked by his sharp editorial writing and deep engagement with the political tumult of the era, including the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. After graduating magna cum laude in 1971, he began his professional writing career in New York City, contributing to publications like New Times and The Richmond Mercury before his critical voice gained national attention.

Career in journalism

Rich's early professional work established his reputation as a formidable critic and reporter. He served as the film critic for The New York Post and later as a senior editor and critic at Time magazine. His critical acumen soon led him to the world of Broadway, where his reviews became must-reads within the Theatre District. In 1980, he joined The New York Times as its chief drama critic, a position where his influential and sometimes feared opinions earned him the nickname "The Butcher of Broadway." During this period, he also authored books analyzing American culture and politics, such as The Theatre Art of Boris Aronson with Lisa Aronson.

The New York Times tenure

Frank Rich's tenure at The New York Times was transformative, both for the paper's Arts coverage and its Op-Ed page. After thirteen years as drama critic, he transitioned in 1994 to writing a weekly political and cultural column for the Op-Ed page, titled "Journal." This column, and its successor "The Great White Way," blended sharp analysis of the Clinton administration and later the George W. Bush presidency with critiques of media and popular culture. His writing during major events like the impeachment of Bill Clinton and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks was widely syndicated and discussed. He became an associate editor of the Times before departing in 2011, leaving a legacy as one of the paper's most prominent liberal voices.

Later career and commentary

Following his departure from The New York Times, Rich joined New York magazine as a writer-at-large and later became a contributing editor. He also serves as a creative producer for HBO, working on projects like the political satire series Veep and the drama Succession. He is a frequent panelist on CNN and MSNBC programs, including The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, offering commentary on the Trump administration and contemporary American politics. Rich continues to write long-form essays on democracy, media, and culture for New York and The Guardian, and he co-hosts the podcast The Political Scene for The New Yorker.

Personal life

Frank Rich is married to journalist and author Alex Witchel, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. They have two sons and reside in Manhattan. An avid supporter of the arts, he serves on the board of the Public Theater in New York City. His son, Nathaniel Rich, is a novelist and essayist, contributing to publications like The Atlantic. Rich maintains a active role in public intellectual life, often participating in events at institutions like the 92nd Street Y and the New York Public Library.

Category:American columnists Category:American drama critics Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Writers from Washington, D.C.