Date of Birth: October 7, 1966
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: [Not Applicable]
Biography
Sherman Alexie is a prominent Native American writer, poet, and filmmaker, known for his works that explore themes of contemporary Native American life. Born on October 7, 1966, in Spokane, Washington, Alexie grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Despite facing significant health challenges from hydrocephalus, he excelled academically and went on to attend Gonzaga University before transferring to Washington State University. Alexie’s literary career took off with his first collection of poetry, “The Business of Fancydancing,” published in 1992. He gained widespread acclaim with his short story collection “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” (1993). His semi-autobiographical novel, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” (2007), won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. Alexie has also written screenplays, most notably for the film “Smoke Signals” (1998), which is based on his short stories. Throughout his career, Alexie has been a vocal advocate for Native American rights and issues, often speaking about the complexities of identity, culture, and the challenges faced by Native American communities. Despite facing controversies and allegations later in his career, his contributions to literature and Native American representation remain significant.
5 Interesting Facts about Sherman Alexie
1. Sherman Alexie was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that required brain surgery when he was six months old.
2. He attended Spokane Indian Reservation’s elementary school but left to attend high school in Reardan, Washington, where he was the only Native American student.
3. Alexie won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2007 for his novel “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.”
4. He has written over 20 books, including poetry, short stories, novels, and screenplays.
5. Alexie served as a guest editor for the Best American Poetry series in 2015.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sherman Alexie
1. “The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don’t know.”
2. “I think all of us are always five years old in the presence and absence of our parents.”
3. “Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community.”
4. “Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They both are fruit, but taste completely different.”
5. “We all have to find our own ways to say goodbye.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Sherman Alexie’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Sherman Alexie has two sons, Joseph and David, with his wife Diane Tomhave.
Relevant Links
1. [Sherman Alexie’s Official Website](http://fallsapart.com/
2. [National Book Foundation – Sherman Alexie](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/sherman-alexie/
3. [Poetry Foundation – Sherman Alexie](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sherman-alexie
4. [IMDb – Sherman Alexie](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000733/
