- Born
- Birth nameHarry Gerard Bissinger III
- Buzz Bissinger was born on November 1, 1954 in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Friday Night Lights (2004), Shattered Glass (2003) and Friday Night Lights (2006). He has been married to Lisa C. Smith since November 12, 2003. He was previously married to Sarah Macdonald and Debrah Stone.
- SpousesLisa C. Smith(November 12, 2003 - present)Sarah Macdonald(1985 - 1992) (divorced, 1 child)Debrah Stone(1980 - 1983) (divorced, 2 children)
- His mother, Eleanor Lebenthal Bissinger, is related to the family that founded and runs Wall Street's Lebenthal Fund.
- Is a second cousin of Peter Berg and Mary Berg. Peter directed Friday Night Lights (2004), based on Buzz's book. Buzz's paternal grandmother, Gertrude Louise Winkler, and Peter and Mary's maternal grandfather, Robert Eli Winkler, were siblings. Buzz is thus a second cousin, once removed, of Peter's son, Emmett Berg.
- Winner of the National Headliner Award, 1983 and co-recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1987, for series on the Philadelphia court system he wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Graduate of University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1976.
- Previous newspaper experience includes stints on Norfolk, Virginia's Ledger-Star, 1976-1978, St. Paul's Pioneer Press Dispatch, Minnesota, 1978-1981; investigative reporter at Chicago Tribune, Illinois, and reporter, then editor at the Inquirer, 1981-1988.
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