John Baxter, born on December 14, 1939, in Randwick, New South Wales, Australia, is a multifaceted individual with a diverse range of professional pursuits. As an Australian-born writer, journalist, and film-maker, he has made a significant impact in the literary and cinematic worlds.
Baxter's life has been marked by his experiences in various countries, including Britain, the United States, and his native Sydney. However, it was in Paris that he ultimately settled, where he married film-maker Marie-Dominique Montel and had a daughter named Louise.
As a science fiction writer, Baxter's early work appeared in British magazines such as New Worlds and Science Fantasy, and his first novel was published in the US by Ace. He has since written numerous short stories and novels in the science fiction genre, as well as a book about science fiction in movies.
In addition to his science fiction endeavors, Baxter has written a vast array of works on the subject of film. He has penned biographies of renowned film personalities, including Federico Fellini, Luis Buñuel, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, George Lucas, and Robert De Niro.
Furthermore, Baxter has been involved in the production of documentaries, including a comprehensive survey of the life and work of the renowned painter Fernando Botero. He has also co-produced, written, and presented three television series for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, namely Filmstruck, First Take, and The Cutting Room.
In his capacity as a journalist, Baxter has been a co-editor of the ABC book program Books And Writing. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a remarkable versatility, effortlessly transitioning between writing, filmmaking, and television production.
