Deborah Dean Davis' journey has been a winding path, taking her through various milestones and opportunities. She began her academic career at UCLA, where she honed her skills as a student. Her early professional endeavors saw her working as a writer for Cosmopolitan Magazine, crafting engaging content that resonated with readers.
As her writing career took off, Davis found herself venturing into the world of television, penning 40 hours of pop culture icons, including three of the first 13 episodes of the iconic series Knight Rider. This experience laid the groundwork for her future success in the television and film industries.
When Paramount Pictures acquired two of Davis' Cosmo articles to develop into feature films, she dove headfirst into the world of feature film writing. Under the guidance of esteemed industry professionals, including Peter Bogdanovich, Ivan Reitman, and Steven Spielberg, Davis honed her craft and developed a unique voice.
Her script, Better Late Than Forever, which starred the talented Meg Ryan, sold for a staggering $1.2 million, solidifying her position as a sought-after screenwriter. Davis continued to write original screenplays, with one of her most memorable assignments being a call from Jennifer Gibgot, who asked about her knowledge of 7-year-old girls. Davis' response led to the development of the hit film It Takes Two, starring Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen.
Davis' most recent feature sale was the original screenplay, Keeping House, to Neal Moritz at Original Films. Her spec script, Daily Special, was optioned by Kat Landsberg for Hot Flash Films, while her co-written spec script, Quid Pro Quo, with Margaret Oberman, made the prestigious Black List.
In addition to her impressive writing credits, Davis also shares her expertise with aspiring writers, teaching at UCLA Extension Writers' Program. Her chapter in Gotham books, Cut to the Chase: Writing Feature Films with the Pros, was singled out in the Kirkus Review as a must-read, earning her a reputation as a knowledgeable and respected figure in the industry.
