Jeff Benedict
Director of the Institute for Writing and Mass Media
Jeff Benedict is a bestselling author of fifteen non-fiction books, a special features writer for Sports Illustrated, and a television and film producer. He has also written for the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and his stories have been the basis for segments on 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, 20/20, 48 Hours, Good Morning America, Dateline, NFL Network, HBO Real Sports, and Discovery Channel. He is the founder and director of Institute for Writing and Mass Media at Southern Virginia University.
In 2018, Jeff’s biography Tiger Woods (co-written with Armen Keteyian) was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney is making a film based on the book. Jeff is an executive producer on the film. Also in 2018, Jeff was an executive producer for the 2018 movie “Little Pink House” – starring Oscar-nominated Catherine Keener and Jeanne Tripplehorn, with music by David Crosby. It’s based on Jeff’s book by the same title. Jeff is also a producer on “The System,” a television drama that’s being developed by Starz and is based on his 2013 national bestseller by the same title.
In 2013 Jeff wrote a memoir for an Islamic fundamentalist-turned Christian titled My Name Used to be Muhammad. It was a Book of the Year finalist. Jeff also wrote Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young’s bestselling autobiography QB: My Life Behind the Spiral. The book was the basis of “Steve Young: A Football Life,” a documentary that Jeff helped write and produce for NFL Films.
Jeff is currently writing the biography of LeBron James. His publisher is Simon & Schuster. Jeff’s popular blog is at www.jeffbenedict.com. His literary agent is Richard Pine at InkWell Management in New York City. His film and television agents are Geoff Morley and Nick Shumaker at United Talent Agency in New York City. His public speaking agent is Ellis Trevor at Chartwell Worldwide Speakers Bureau in New York City.
B.A., Eastern Connecticut State University, 1991; M.A., Northeastern University, 1995; J.D. New England School of Law, 2000
Contact Information:
Southern Virginia University
One University Hill Drive
Buena Vista, VA 24416
116 Main Hall office
540-261-8566
1-540-266-3859 fax