Judith Rascoe, a niece of renowned critic Burton Rascoe, was born and raised in California, where she was fortunate enough to receive early exposure to television scripts courtesy of her uncle. This early introduction to the world of television writing would later prove to be a valuable asset in her own career.
Rascoe's academic background is equally impressive, having attended Stanford University's prestigious writing program under the guidance of esteemed author and educator Wallace Stegner. Her time at Stanford not only honed her writing skills but also provided her with a solid foundation in the literary world.
Early in her career, Rascoe caught the attention of literary critic Mark Schorer, who praised her as one of the most interesting young writers of the early 1970s in a feature article published in Esquire magazine. This recognition marked the beginning of a successful and storied career.
Rascoe's next move was to spend a year as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Bristol, where she continued to develop her writing skills and expand her cultural horizons. Following her time in England, she returned to the United States and began teaching school, a role that allowed her to share her passion for literature with others.
In addition to her teaching duties, Rascoe also worked as a reader for Atlantic Monthly, a position that further solidified her connection to the literary world. Her time at Atlantic Monthly was followed by a stint at Yale University, where she served as a fiction instructor and continued to hone her craft.
It was during this period that Rascoe's writing talents were discovered by producer Joseph Strick, who was so impressed with her story "A Lot of Cowboys" that he asked her to adapt it into a screenplay. The resulting film, Road Movie, The (1974),was a critical and commercial success, cementing Rascoe's status as a talented and versatile writer.
Rascoe's success did not go unnoticed, and she was soon approached by author Robert Stone, who was so impressed with her literary abilities that he recommended her as a screenwriter for the adaptation of his novel DOG SOLDIERS. The resulting film, Who'll Stop the Rain (1978),was a major motion picture that further solidified Rascoe's reputation as a skilled and accomplished writer.
