Diablo Cody

Biography

Diablo Cody is an American screenwriter, producer, and author known for her sharp wit, distinctive voice, and ability to blend humor with emotional honesty. Born Brook Busey on June 14, 1978, in Lemont, Illinois, she adopted the pen name “Diablo Cody” early in her writing career. Before entering the film industry, she worked as a blogger and writer, gaining attention for her candid, humorous posts that explored contemporary life and culture.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Cody graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in media studies. She first gained recognition through her memoir Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper (2005), which chronicled her experiences working as a stripper. The book showcased her unique storytelling voice and led her to screenwriting opportunities.

Breakthrough with Juno

Her debut screenplay, Juno (2007), directed by Jason Reitman, became a major critical and commercial success. The coming-of-age comedy-drama, starring Ellen Page (now Elliot Page), was praised for its witty dialogue and heartfelt portrayal of teenage pregnancy. Cody won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, establishing her as one of Hollywood’s most original and fearless writers.

Further Work in Film and Television

Following Juno, Cody continued to explore complex female characters in films such as Jennifer’s Body (2009), a dark horror-comedy directed by Karyn Kusama, and Young Adult (2011), another collaboration with Jason Reitman starring Charlize Theron. In 2015, she wrote Ricki and the Flash, a family drama featuring Meryl Streep, and in 2018, Tully, a poignant story about motherhood and identity, again teaming with Reitman and Theron.

Cody has also made her mark in television, creating and producing series such as United States of Tara (2009–2011), which centered on a woman coping with dissociative identity disorder.