In his latest book, L.A. Man: Profiles from a Big City and a Small World, Visiting Assistant Professor of English and Journalism Joe Donnelly attempts to go beyond the “facade of fame” to get a closer look at the humanity that exists within.
This collection of profiles shares Donelly’s journalistic encounters with iconic celebrities – experiences like surfing with Chris Malloy, verbally sparring with Christian Bale, shooting pool with Sean Penn, going on a date with Carmen Electra, and driving to Texas with Wes Anderson, just to name a few.
“What a pleasure to ride shotgun with Joe Donnelly, a Los Angeles journalist who tells the story of a city through its artists, outlaws, and other raconteurs,” wrote New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis about the book.
The Atlantic staff writer Conor Friedersdorf adds, “Joe Donnelly gravitates toward characters who have heart and portrays them with insight and humanity. I've yet to read one of his profiles without feeling that I got to know the subject and benefited from the encounter.”
Donnelly is an award-winning journalist, writer, and editor. His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Review of Books, LA Weekly, Mother Jones, Huck, Orion, Slake, The Surfer’s Journal, Washington Post, and other publications. Donnelly co-founded and co-edited Slake: Los Angeles, the acclaimed journal of long-form journalism, fiction, essay, poetry, photography, and art.
