Jonathan Tropper

Early life and education

Tropper was born in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York City in a liberal observant Jewish home. During his childhood he attended Camp Morasha, a co-ed Modern Orthodox sleepaway camp in the Poconos.

He studied English as an undergraduate at Yeshiva University and received a master's degree in creative writing at New York University (NYU).

Career

After receiving his master's degree from NYU, Tropper spent eight years running a Manhattan-based company that manufactured displays for jewelry companies. He wrote at night and on weekends, ultimately publishing his first novel, Plan B, which attracted the attention of an agent, allowing him to leave his job and become a full-time writer. Five of Tropper's six books have been optioned at auction within a week of publication (The Book of Joe, How to Talk to a Widower, Everything Changes, One Last Thing Before I Go, and This Is Where I Leave You).

The themes of his books appear to stem from his personal experiences: they deal with topics such as being single, growing up, getting married, being married, getting divorced, and living in suburbia. Tropper's hometown of New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York, is a main source of inspiration when creating the characters and settings in his books.

How to Talk to a Widower was a 2007 selection for The Richard and Judy Show in the United Kingdom. Everything Changes was a Booksense selection. Three of Tropper's books are currently being adapted into movies. Tropper co-wrote the film adaptation of The Book of Joe with Ed Burns, who will direct. This Is Where I Leave You was published in August 2009 and was made into the 2014 film of the same name. Tropper's most recent novel, One Last Thing Before I Go, was published in August 2012. The novel was optioned by Paramount Pictures for J. J. Abrams.

Tropper co-created the television series Banshee with David Schickler. The show aired on Cinemax; Tropper served as an executive producer on the show.

In October 2017, it was announced that his series Warrior, based on Bruce Lee's original idea and set against the Tong Wars of 19th century San Francisco, received a straight-to-series order at Cinemax. The series debuted on Cinemax in April 2019 to critical acclaim. Tropper served as showrunner and executive producer. Justin Lin, director of multiple Fast and Furious films and Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee, served as executive producers.

In 2020, Tropper took over as showrunner and executive producer of the Apple TV+ science fiction series See (2019–2022), starring Jason Momoa, Alfre Woodard, and Dave Bautista.

Personal life

Tropper has three children with his first wife Elizabeth Parker. In 2016, he married Stephanie Abram, with whom he has one child.

Films

Tropper wrote the screenplay for the 2014 film adaptation of his novel This is Where I Leave You. Shawn Levy directed, and the film co-starred Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver and Jane Fonda. Tropper later produced and wrote the screenplay for Kodachrome (2017), starring Jason Sudeikis, Ed Harris, and Elizabeth Olsen. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews, and was acquired by Netflix.

Tropper wrote the screenplay for The Adam Project, a science-fiction thriller starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by Shawn Levy.

Filmography

Film

Television

Bibliography

• 2000 – Plan B ()
• 2004 – The Book of Joe ()
• 2005 – Everything Changes ()
• 2007 – How to Talk to a Widower ()
• 2009 – This Is Where I Leave You ()
• 2012 – One Last Thing Before I Go ()

References

References

1. [http://www.mville.edu/about/mymville/faculty-aamp-staff/profiles/adjunct-faculty/tropper-jonathon.html Manhattanville Faculty Bio] {{webarchive. link. (2013-01-29)
2. Pfefferman, Naomi (18 September 2014). [https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/133506/jonathan-troppers-this-is-where-i-leave-you-finds-humor-during-shivah/ Jonathan Tropper’s ‘This is Where I Leave You’ finds humor during shivah] ''Jewish Journal''. Retrieved on 19 April 2025
3. Muchnick, Jeanne. (January 2010). "Tropper Uses New Rochelle as His Muse". Westchester Magazine.
4. Steigrad, Alexandra. (May 2, 2012). "Ed Burns' Indy Streak".
5. Lussier, Germain. (May 29, 2012). "All-Star Cast Joins Adam Shankman's 'This Is Where I Leave You'". Film.
6. Nguyen, Hanh. (2019-04-05). "'Warrior' Review: Bruce Lee's Vision of Chinese in the Old West Comes to Rowdy, Violent Life on Cinemax".
7. Andreeva, Nellie. (2017-10-11). "'Warrior': Cinemax Sets Cast & Director For Bruce Lee-Inspired Martial Arts Series". Deadline.
8. Andreeva, Nellie. (2020-01-13). "'See': Dave Bautista Joins Season 2 Of Apple Drama Series".
9. La Gorce, Tammy. (3 October 2008). "Writing as Vicarious Experience". The New York Times.
10. Shapiro, Laurie Gwen (23 August 2012).[https://forward.com/culture/161493/jonathan-tropper-never-gave-up-on-dream/ Jonathan Tropper Never Gave Up on Dream] ''The Forward''. Retrieved on 19 April 2025
11. Kenigsberg, Ben. (2018-04-19). "Review: 'Kodachrome,' an Ode to Color Film, Now Streaming Near You". The New York Times.
12. (11 September 2017). "Toronto: Netflix Acquires Elizabeth Olsen-Starrer 'Kodachrome'".
13. (24 April 2020). "Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy Reteam for Time-Travel Adventure Movie From Skydance (Exclusive)".