'It's Kind of a Funny Story' author Ned Vizzini dies at age 32

[December 21, 2013]  By Curtis Skinner

NEW YORK (Reuters) — Best-selling young adult fiction writer Ned Vizzini, whose 2006 semi-autobiographical novel, "It's Kind of a Funny Story," won plaudits for its portrayal of teenage depression and was adapted as a Hollywood film, has died at age 32.

New York City medical examiner spokeswoman Julie Bolcer on Friday said that Vizzini had committed suicide and that his injuries were consistent with a fall from some height.

Vizzini authored four young adult novels about late bloomers and unpopular teens, including "Be More Chill" and "The Other Normals" as well as a collection of essays titled "Teen Angst? Naaah...A Quasi-Autobiography."

"I was totally blown away by his writing," Vizzini's editor Alessandra Balzer of HarperCollins imprint Balzer + Bray said in a statement posted on Facebook. "It just dazzled with wit and intelligence and warmth — his was the most authentic and daring teen boy voice I'd ever read."

Balzer added: "Ned loved to write about nerdy outsiders who were finding their way to manhood, and he did it better than anyone."

"It's Kind of a Funny Story," about a teenage boy who suffers from depression and thoughts of suicide, was adapted into a 2010 film starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis and Emma Roberts.

Earlier this year, Vizzini co-authored a children's fantasy novel titled "House of Secrets" with "Home Alone" film director Chris Columbus that was intended to be the first in a series.

Vizzini, who grew up in New York City, also served as a writer of the short-lived ABC military drama "Last Resort" and MTV's supernatural drama "Teen Wolf."

He was currently working as a writer for NBC's upcoming science fiction series "Believe," which was created by "Gravity" director Alfonso Cuaron and produced by "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams.

(Writing by Eric Kelsey; editing by Eric Walsh)

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