Barry, Dave

Barry, Dave, born in 1947, American humorist and writer best known for his weekly newspaper column, which is syndicated to more than 500 newspapers. He has also written more than 20 books, a number of which have been bestsellers.

Dave Barry was born in Armonk, New York, where his father was a Presbyterian minister. Barry was voted Class Clown of his high school in Pleasantville, New York, when he graduated in 1965. He then majored in English at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. After graduating with a B.A. in 1969 he worked as a reporter for The Daily Local News, a small newspaper in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Barry also taught business writing for eight years. In 1983 he began reporting for The Miami Herald in Florida and soon after launched his humor column.

Barry’s writing is a mixture of pointed commentary and zany satire. He will often bring out the silly side of a serious news event or find the hidden humor in life’s everyday trials. Some of Barry’s favorite topics include aging, rock music, politicians and government, cyberspace, and parenting. Despite exhibiting what some consider an adolescent style, Barry has cultivated a broad fan base and his writing is extremely popular. Many of his columns have been collected and republished as books over the years. Dave Barry Turns 50 (1999) is one such book, offering a humorous retrospective of the cultural history of the baby-boom generation from 1947 to 1974, including commentary on popular music, television shows, consumer products, and the Cold War. Other books by Barry include Dave Barry’s Greatest Hits (1988), Dave Barry’s Only Travel Guide You’ll Ever Need (1991), and Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys (1997).

In 1988 Barry’s column won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. His writing has also inspired the TV series Dave’s World, which ran from 1993 to 1997. His first novel, Big Trouble (1999), is a fast-paced, satirical crime story set in South Florida. The book was made into a film released in 2002. Tricky Business, Barry’s second novel, was published the same year. Boogers Are My Beat (2003) is a collection of his newspaper columns that parodies the political election process and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.