Rex McGee, a multifaceted individual, is a screenwriter, journalist, and creativity coach, whose life has been shaped by his passion for storytelling. As a film student at the University of Southern California, Rex wrote a letter to his idol, Billy Wilder, which led to a 29-year friendship and numerous collaborations.
Born in North Texas, Rex grew up in a family of modest means, where his father, a movie projectionist, surprisingly, hated movies. Despite this, Rex's parents encouraged his creative pursuits, and he graduated from Burleson High School before attending USC.
Rex's meeting with Wilder in his junior year of college provided the inspiration and courage he needed to launch his career as a screenwriter. He began writing movie scripts, working as a studio story analyst, and writing for magazines such as Playboy and American Film. His screenplays were optioned, but unfortunately, they didn't get produced.
After outliving both parents and enduring the end of a long-term relationship, Rex felt burnt out in Los Angeles. He took his aunt's passing as a sign to revisit his roots and returned to Texas, where he got a call from film producer Jerry Weintraub to write a movie script for country music star George Strait.
Rex's story of homecoming, Pure Country, became a hit, and his own story was transformed into a stage musical. His movie, Where There's a Will, has become a beloved perennial on the Hallmark Channel. Today, Rex continues to work on diverse film projects, teaches screenwriting, and conducts creativity workshops, helping others revive their creative process.
Rex's life is a testament to the power of taking risks and pursuing one's passion. He believes that creativity is about removing fear and taking fresh risks, and he knows first-hand that taking a risk – whether a letter to a famous director or a move back home – could be the chance of a lifetime.
