Kip Thorne, born on January 1, 1940, in Logan, Utah, grew up in a household deeply rooted in academia. His father, D. Wynne Thorne, was a chemistry professor, and his mother, Alison Cornish Thorne, was an economics professor. Raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thorne was exposed to a wide range of intellectual pursuits from an early age.
Thorne's passion for physics was ignited during his undergraduate studies at the California Institute of Technology. He continued his education at Princeton University, where he earned his doctorate under the guidance of the legendary physicist Albert Einstein. Thorne's doctoral advisor was the renowned John Archibald Wheeler, a close associate of Einstein and a key figure in the development of general relativity.
After completing his doctoral studies, Thorne embarked on a distinguished teaching career at Caltech, his undergraduate alma mater. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics, particularly in the sub-fields of astrophysics and gravitational physics. Thorne's research focused on topics such as relativity, black holes, red giants, wormholes, gravitational waves, and the theoretical possibility of time travel.
Thorne's expertise in theoretical physics led to his involvement in the 2014 film Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan. He served as both a scientific consultant and an executive producer on the film, ensuring the accuracy of the movie's portrayal of complex scientific concepts.
Despite his demanding career, Thorne found time to prioritize his family life. He was married to Linda Jean Peterson, with whom he had two children, Bret and Kares. After their marriage ended in divorce, Thorne found love again and tied the knot with biokinesiology professor Carolee Joyce Winstein.
Kip Thorne's passion for physics, combined with his dedication to advancing our understanding of the universe, has solidified his reputation as one of the most influential theoretical physicists of his generation. His groundbreaking research and contributions to popular science have inspired countless individuals to explore the wonders of the cosmos.