John Baxter, born on December 14, 1939, in Randwick, New South Wales, Australia, is a multifaceted individual, whose career has spanned various creative fields, including writing, journalism, and filmmaking. Throughout his life, Baxter has resided in several countries, including Britain, the United States, and his native Sydney, before finally settling in Paris in 1989, where he shares his life with his wife, film-maker Marie-Dominique Montel, and their daughter, Louise.
Baxter's writing career began in the early 1960s, when he started penning science fiction stories for prominent British magazines, such as New Worlds and Science Fantasy. His debut novel, published in the US by Ace as The Off-Worlders, marked the beginning of a prolific output in the science fiction genre, which has since seen him write numerous novels and short stories, as well as edit collections of Australian science fiction.
Beyond his work in science fiction, Baxter has demonstrated a deep passion for the world of cinema, authoring biographies of renowned film personalities, including Federico Fellini, Luis Buñuel, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, George Lucas, and Robert De Niro. His expertise in the field has also led him to write documentaries, such as a comprehensive survey of the life and work of the painter Fernando Botero.
In addition to his writing endeavors, Baxter has also ventured into television production, co-producing, writing, and presenting three television series for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, namely Filmstruck, First Take, and The Cutting Room. Furthermore, he served as co-editor of the ABC book program Books And Writing, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the world of arts and culture.
