Biography
Leonard Gardner (born 3 November 1933) is an American novelist, short story writer and screenwriter. Born in Stockton, California, he attended San Francisco State University and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.
His 1969 novel Fat City was adapted by Gardner into the screenplay for the 1972 film of the same name directed by John Huston. He wrote teleplays and stories for episodes of the series NYPD Blue (1993), on which he also worked as story editor, executive story editor and producer.
For his contributions to NYPD Blue, Gardner received two Humanitas Prizes (1997 and 1999) and a Peabody Award (1998). He also wrote the screenplay for the 1989 film Valentino Returns.
