David Sedaris

Contemporary American humorist and best selling author David Sedaris moved to Paris in 1998. Unlike many Americans who came to Paris with a desire to live a “Parisian lifestyle” Sedaris had a unique reason for living in the City of Light – “I like not being responsible for anything,” he said in an interview for Rendez Vous France. “I can’t vote. I like the feeling of not belonging.” Although living in Paris may not have been his dream, living here has given him some brilliant material for his best selling book “Me Talk Pretty One Day.” Not to mention that he may possibly be the only author who has been invited to read essays and selected chapters from his book on the US comedy chat show “Late Night with David Letterman.” Mr. Sedaris, a gifted storyteller who is philosophical and poignant, with a wit as sharp as an ice pick, has been described by Time Out, New York, as “The funniest man alive!” Sedaris’ hilarious account of his life in Paris has made him a successful crossover guest on “The Late Show” a program known primarily for its acerbic comedy style rather than its embrace of writers. But there is something for everyone in Sedaris’ work-filled with sadness, fear, genuine humor and dignity. In addition to being a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition, David Sedaris is the author of other best sellers Naked, Holidays on Ice, and Barrel Fever. He has collaborated with his sister Amy to write several plays (One Woman Shoe received and Obie Award) that have been produced at the Lincoln Center and the Drama Department of New York City. And in 2001 Time magazine named Sedaris as the Humorist of the Year. Mr. Sedaris still resides part-time in Paris, perhaps mainly for the shopping? —Christiann Anderson is the co-author of Paris Reflections: Walks through African American Paris (McDonald & Woodward, 2002.) and writes a column on Living Single in Paris for The Paris Woman Journal and Cafe de la Soul (www.pariswoman.com – www.cafedelasoul.com)