Audrey Wells

Biography

Audrey Wells was an American screenwriter, film director, and producer known for creating stories centered on relationships, personal growth, and strong characters. She was born on January 25, 1960, in San Francisco, California, and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, before earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from UCLA.

Early Career

Before entering the film industry, Wells worked as a disc jockey at KJAZ-FM, a jazz radio station in San Francisco. She later worked in public radio in Alaska. Her early experience in radio helped develop her interest in storytelling and entertainment.

Wells eventually moved into screenwriting and sold her first screenplay to Paramount. Her first produced screenplay was The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996), a romantic comedy starring Uma Thurman and Janeane Garofalo. She also served as an executive producer on the film.

Career in Film

Wells became known for writing and directing films that explored love, relationships, independence, and personal change. Her major writing credits included George of the Jungle (1997), The Kid (2000), Shall We Dance? (2004), and The Game Plan (2007).

In 1999, Wells made her feature directorial debut with Guinevere, an independent drama starring Sarah Polley. The film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

One of her most recognized projects was Under the Tuscan Sun (2003). Wells wrote and directed the film and also served as a producer. The romantic comedy, starring Diane Lane, followed a woman who begins rebuilding her life after a difficult period.

Later Work

Wells continued writing for film throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Her credits included The Game Plan, A Dog's Purpose (2017), and The Hate U Give (2018). She also worked on the animated film Over the Moon, which was released in 2020 and dedicated to her memory.

The Hate U Give was particularly significant as it was released shortly after Wells' death. She adapted Angie Thomas's novel into the screenplay for the film, which was directed by George Tillman Jr.