Peter Benchley was born on May 8, 1940, in New York City. He grew up in a literary and theatrical family, as his father, Nathaniel Benchley, was a well-known author and his grandfather, Robert Benchley, was a humorist and critic. Peter Benchley attended Phillips Exeter Academy before going on to Harvard University, where he graduated with a degree in English.
After graduating from Harvard, Benchley began his career as a journalist, working for publications such as The Washington Post and Newsweek. He also served as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson before turning his focus to writing novels.
In 1974, Benchley published his first novel, Jaws, a thriller about a great white shark terrorizing a small resort town. The book became an instant bestseller and was later adapted into a blockbuster film directed by Steven Spielberg. Jaws remained on the American bestseller list for an incredible forty-four weeks, cementing Benchley’s reputation as a master of suspense.
Following the success of Jaws, Benchley continued to write novels, including The Deep in 1976 and The Island in 1979. While none of his later works achieved the same level of success as Jaws, Benchley remained a respected and beloved author in the thriller genre.
Peter Benchley was married to his wife, Wendy Wesson, for over forty years. The couple had three children together and lived in New Jersey. Benchley’s brother, Nat Benchley, also found success in the entertainment industry as an actor and author.
Peter Benchley’s impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. His novel Jaws not only launched his career as a novelist but also inspired a whole genre of shark-themed entertainment. The success of the book and subsequent film helped to solidify sharks as a symbol of fear and danger in the public consciousness, influencing everything from documentaries to theme park attractions.
Though Benchley passed away in 2006, his legacy lives on through his work and the continued popularity of Jaws. He will always be remembered as a talented storyteller who brought thrills and chills to audiences around the world.