Ralph Schoenstein
Encyclopedia
Ralph Schoenstein was an American
writer and humorist. He was a frequent commentator to NPR
's All Things Considered
.
Schoenstein grew up in Manhattan
, and graduated from Columbia University
.
He began writing after a brief stint in the army, and became the author of over 18 novels and non-fiction works. His 1960 memoir The Block, tells of his growing up on New York's Upper West Side
. 1978's Citizen Paul is a remembrance of his father, Pulitzer Prize
winning newspaper editor Paul Schoenstein. Schoenstein was also the ghostwriter
of a number of books for celebrities like Joan Rivers
, Ed McMahon
, and Bill Cosby
(he was the uncredited co-author of Cosby's Fatherhood and Time Flies).
He was a frequent contributor to The New Yorker
, The New York Times
, New York Daily News
, Newsday
, and Playboy
. In addition to All Things Considered, Schoenstein also provided humorous commentaries for the ABC
Evening News and the Today Show. He also wrote several articles for the early issues of the National Lampoon. Schoenstein became friends with the Lampoon editorial staff, who named the Animal House character Donald "Boon" Schoenstein after him..
Schoenstein, who resided in Princeton, New Jersey
, died on August 24, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, from complications following heart surgery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer and humorist. He was a frequent commentator to NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
.
Schoenstein grew up in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, and graduated from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
He began writing after a brief stint in the army, and became the author of over 18 novels and non-fiction works. His 1960 memoir The Block, tells of his growing up on New York's Upper West Side
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
. 1978's Citizen Paul is a remembrance of his father, Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning newspaper editor Paul Schoenstein. Schoenstein was also the ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
of a number of books for celebrities like Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers is an American comedian, television personality and actress. She is known for her brash manner; her loud, raspy voice with a heavy New York accent; and her numerous cosmetic surgeries...
, Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
, and Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
(he was the uncredited co-author of Cosby's Fatherhood and Time Flies).
He was a frequent contributor to The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
, Newsday
Newsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
, and Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
. In addition to All Things Considered, Schoenstein also provided humorous commentaries for the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
Evening News and the Today Show. He also wrote several articles for the early issues of the National Lampoon. Schoenstein became friends with the Lampoon editorial staff, who named the Animal House character Donald "Boon" Schoenstein after him..
Schoenstein, who resided in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, died on August 24, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, from complications following heart surgery.
Selected bibliography
- The Block (1960)
- Yes, My Darling Daughters: Adventures in Fathering (1976)
- The I-Hate-Preppies Handbook (1976, republished in 1981)
- Citizen Paul: The Story of Father and Son (republished as Superman and Son) (1978)
- Toilet Trained for Yale (2002)