Date of Birth: May 8, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: February 11, 2006
Biography
Peter Bradford Benchley was an American author, best known for his 1974 novel “Jaws,” which was later adapted into the highly successful 1975 film directed by Steven Spielberg. Born into a literary family, Benchley was the son of novelist Nathaniel Benchley and the grandson of celebrated humorist Robert Benchley. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later Harvard University, where he graduated with a degree in English. Before achieving fame with “Jaws,” Benchley worked as a reporter for The Washington Post, an editor at Newsweek, and a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson. The success of “Jaws” catapulted him into the limelight, and he went on to write several other novels, including “The Deep,” “The Island,” and “Beast.” Benchley was also an avid ocean conservationist. In his later years, he regretted the negative impact “Jaws” had on shark populations and became an advocate for marine life preservation. He worked with organizations such as the National Council of Environmental Defense and the American Elasmobranch Society. Benchley passed away from pulmonary fibrosis in 2006. His legacy continues through his contributions to literature and marine conservation.
5 Interesting Facts about Peter Benchley
1. Peter Benchley was inspired to write “Jaws” after reading about a fisherman who caught a 4,500-pound great white shark.
2. His book “Jaws” spent 44 weeks on the bestseller list and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
3. Benchley made a cameo appearance in the film adaptation of “Jaws” as a news reporter.
4. He co-wrote the screenplay for the film “Jaws” alongside Carl Gottlieb.
5. Despite his success with “Jaws,” Benchley later expressed regret over the negative impact the book and film had on shark populations, leading him to become an advocate for shark conservation.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Peter Benchley
1. “If there is a message in ‘Jaws,’ it is that man’s knowledge of the ocean is still pitifully small.”
2. “I couldn’t write ‘Jaws’ today. I could never demonize an animal, especially not a shark.”
3. “The great fish moved silently through the night water, propelled by short sweeps of its crescent tail.”
4. “We must rethink our relationship with the ocean and its creatures, or we will lose both.”
5. “The ocean is a place of great mystery and beauty, and it is our duty to protect it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Peter Benchley’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $10 million.
Children
Peter Benchley had three children: Clayton, Tracy, and Christopher.
Relevant Links
1. [Peter Benchley Biography – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0070430/bio
2. [Peter Benchley – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Benchley
3. [Peter Benchley – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-Benchley
5. [Peter Benchley Ocean Awards](https://www.peterbenchley.com
