Picture a San Diego kid who turned his dad’s salty wisdom into a cultural phenomenon—meet Justin Halpern! This American author and TV producer skyrocketed to fame with his Twitter account @ShitMyDadSays, which spawned a #1 New York Times bestseller and a CBS sitcom. With a knack for blending humor and heart, Halpern’s work captures the messy, hilarious truths of life, proving authenticity can turn a simple tweet into a legacy.
The Making of Justin Halpern
Born on September 3, 1980, in San Diego’s Point Loma neighborhood, Justin Halpern grew up in a Jewish-Italian household with a father whose blunt, expletive-laden advice was both hilarious and profound. A pitcher at Point Loma High School and later at San Diego State University, Halpern dreamed of screenwriting. After graduating in 2003, he headed to Hollywood, juggling waiter gigs and writing for humor sites like HolyTaco.com and Maxim.com, but success remained elusive until a breakup brought him back to his parents’ home.
Justin Halpern’s Unforgettable Stories
In 2009, living with his parents, Halpern started @ShitMyDadSays to archive his father Sam’s colorful quips, like 'The worst thing you can be is a liar... Okay, fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but THEN, number two is liar.' The Twitter feed exploded, gaining over 100,000 followers in weeks and millions by 2010. This led to Sh*t My Dad Says (2010), a uproarious essay collection about growing up with his unfiltered dad, which hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His second book, I Suck at Girls (2012), dives into his romantic misadventures, from childhood crushes to proposing to his now-wife, Amanda Schweizer. Both books showcase Halpern’s conversational style—raw, relatable, and packed with laugh-out-loud moments. He also co-created the CBS sitcom $#*! My Dad Says starring William Shatner and executive-produced hits like Harley Quinn and Abbott Elementary, blending sharp wit with universal themes.
Halpern’s writing thrives on authenticity, turning personal anecdotes into stories that resonate widely. His ability to mine humor from everyday life, especially his father’s no-nonsense wisdom, sets him apart in comedic literature and television.
Why Justin Halpern Matters
Justin Halpern’s impact lies in his accidental revolution of digital storytelling. His Twitter feed showed how social media could launch a career, paving the way for other viral-to-mainstream successes. His books and shows, blending humor with heartfelt insights, offer a refreshing take on family and relationships, appealing to readers and viewers craving realness. Halpern’s work reminds us that the best stories often come from the chaos of our own lives, making him a relatable voice in modern comedy.
- Born: September 3, 1980, San Diego, CA
- Key Works: Sh*t My Dad Says, I Suck at Girls, Abbott Elementary, Harley Quinn
- Notable Achievement: #1 New York Times bestseller for Sh*t My Dad Says
Ready to laugh until you cry? Grab Sh*t My Dad Says or I Suck at Girls and dive into Justin Halpern’s world of raw, hilarious storytelling!