Dave Barry

David McAlister Barry (born July 3, 1947 in Armonk, New York) is an American humorist, author, and columnist whose career has spanned more than five decades. After earning a BA in English from the Quaker‑affiliated Haverford College in 1969, Barry entered journalism as a general‑assignment reporter for the Daily Local News in West Chester, Pennsylvania, quickly moving up to city editor and beginning to write a weekly humor column that showcased his razor‑sharp wit and observational satire. In 1983 he was hired by the Miami Herald as a humor columnist, a position that brought him national syndication, a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1988, and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2005. His column’s blend of absurdity and social commentary turned everyday mishaps into cultural touchstones, and his books—ranging from Dave Barry’s Guide to Marriage to the bestseller Big Trouble—frequently appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Beyond print, Barry’s influence extended to television with the sitcom Dave’s World (1993‑1997), a film adaptation of Big Trouble (2002), and even music, as a founding member of the author‑musician group Rock Bottom Remainders, sharing stages with Stephen King, Amy Tan, and Bruce Springsteen. He co‑created the annual Tropic/Herald Hunt, a puzzle‑event that draws thousands of participants, and he has run mock libertarian presidential campaigns to satirize American politics. Barry’s personal life, marked by three marriages—Ann Shelnutt, Beth Lenox, and Michelle Kaufman—and two children, has been a source of both material and resilience, especially after the tragic loss of his parents. Today he continues to write, blog, and appear in occasional media projects, cementing his legacy as one of America’s most beloved humorists.