Diablo Cody Bio
Brook Maurio (born June 14, 1978), known professionally by the pen name Diablo Cody, is an American writer and producer. She gained recognition for her candid blog and subsequent memoir, Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper (2005). Cody received critical acclaim for her screenwriting debut film, Juno (2007), winning both the Academy Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. Cody has also written and produced several notable films, including Jennifer’s Body (2009), Young Adult (2011), and Tully (2018).
Early Life and Background
Diablo Cody was born Brook Busey on June 14, 1978, in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She is the daughter of Pam and Greg Busey and has an older brother named Marc. Cody’s mother has Italian roots, while her father is of German descent. Raised in an Apostolic Christian household, she attended Saints Cyril & Methodius School and Benet Academy, both Roman Catholic institutions in the Chicago suburbs. During her early years, she went by her birth name, Brook. In 2000, Cody graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Media. While at university, she worked in the acquisitions department of the main library and held various jobs, including secretarial work at a law firm and proofreading advertisements for radio stations.
Path to Hollywood
Cody began her writing career with a parody blog called Red Secretary, which detailed the fictional exploits of a secretary living in Belarus. This blog was a thinly veiled allegory for her own life experiences. After moving to Minneapolis, she started an adult blog called The Pussy Ranch, using a pen name inspired by her travels through Cody, Wyoming. In 2003, she signed up for amateur night at a local strip club, which led her to quit her day job and become a full-time stripper. While working in the adult industry, Cody began writing for City Pages, an alternative newspaper in the Twin Cities, and later contributed to Jane magazine.
Diablo Cody Career
Early Career (2003–2005)
At the age of 27, Cody wrote her memoir, Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper. The memoir caught the attention of Mason Novick, who became her manager and helped her secure a publishing contract. Encouraged by Novick, Cody transitioned to screenwriting and completed her script for Juno in February 2005. The film, directed by Jason Reitman, became a critical and commercial success, earning four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Cody won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Breakthrough (2007–2010)
Following the success of Juno, Cody’s career flourished. She created, wrote, and produced the Showtime series United States of Tara, which premiered in January 2009. The series, starring Toni Collette, explored the life of a mother with dissociative identity disorder. In 2009, she released the horror-comedy film Jennifer’s Body, which starred Megan Fox. The film, while initially met with mixed reviews, has since gained a cult following. Cody continued to expand her repertoire by writing and producing Young Adult (2011), which starred Charlize Theron and received critical acclaim.
Notable Works and Milestones
Diablo Cody’s signature work includes the film Juno, which not only won her an Academy Award but also established her as a prominent voice in Hollywood. Her other notable works include Jennifer’s Body, Young Adult, and Tully, showcasing her versatility as a writer and producer.
Diablo Cody Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Diablo Cody has received numerous nominations for her work in film and television. Her most notable nominations include those for the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay for Juno, among others.
Diablo Cody Awards Won
Diablo Cody has won several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Juno and the BAFTA Award for the same category. Her contributions to the film industry have been recognized with various accolades, solidifying her status as a talented writer and producer.
Diablo Cody Family
Diablo Cody was married to Jon Hunt from 2004 to 2007. In 2009, she married Dan Maurio, with whom she has three sons, born in 2010, 2012, and 2015.
Personal Life
Cody has expressed her fondness for her family in her memoir. She is also known for her friendships with fellow screenwriters Dana Fox and Lorene Scafaria, with whom she collaborates on various projects. Additionally, Cody is a lifelong roller-coaster enthusiast and has a tattoo of the Giant Dipper at San Diego’s Belmont Park on her right arm. She has publicly stated her views on social issues, including her stance on abortion in relation to her work on Juno.
