Born in Yugoslavia, a country located in the Balkan Peninsula of Southeastern Europe, Tesich was only 14 years old when he made the bold decision to leave his homeland and settle in East Chicago, Indiana, a city located in the United States of America. This significant move marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one that would be shaped by the challenges and opportunities that came his way.
Tragedy struck when Tesich's father, a skilled machinist, passed away in 1962, leaving a lasting impact on the young man's life. Despite this setback, Tesich persevered and went on to graduate from Indiana University in 1965. He then pursued further education at Columbia University, where he began to hone his skills as a playwright.
Tesich's big break came in 1979 with the release of his film "Breaking Away," which earned him an Academy Award and a Golden Globe nomination. This success was followed by his adaptation of "The World According to Garp" in 1982, and his final film, "American Flyers," was released in 1985.
However, Tesich's film career eventually came to an end, and he turned his attention to writing plays. As he grew older and became increasingly disillusioned with life, his plays began to reflect his growing pessimism. Despite this, Tesich continued to write, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered for years to come.