Tom Junod


Tom Junod is an American journalist. He is the recipient of two National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors.

Early life

In 1980, Junod graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the State University of New York at Albany.

Career

Junod worked as a writer for Esquire magazine beginning in 1997, after following editor David Granger to the magazine from GQ. He also worked for Atlanta magazine, Life, and Sports Illustrated. Junod has published award-winning pieces for several magazines. Among his notable works are The Abortionist, The Rapist Says He's Sorry, The Falling Man and a controversial 2001 piece on R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe, in which he satirically fabricated information for an interview that never happened. As of November 2019, he is a writer for ESPN The Magazine.
Junod is also notable for his Esquire profile of Fred Rogers. Junod has stated that his encounter with Rogers changed his perspective on life. The event is the premise of the 2019 feature film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Junod also appeared in the critically acclaimed documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?.

Awards

Junod is the recipient of two National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors; one for a profile of John Britton, an abortion doctor, and one for a profile of a rapist undergoing therapy while enduring what is known as "civil commitment." He is also a ten-time finalist for the award.
In 2011, Junod won the James Beard Award for his essay My Mom Couldn't Cook, published in Esquire in September 2010.