Fannie Flagg

Born September 21, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama

Fannie Flagg (September 21, 1944 – ) is an American author and actress. Born Patricia Neal in Birmingham, Alabama, Flagg's career began in the 1960s when she was hired as a staff writer for Allen Funt's Candid Camera, and she later became Funt's co-host on the syndicated 1970s weekly version of the show. After a lull in her writing career, she returned her focus to writing in the 1980s. Among her novels are Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man (originally titled Coming Attractions) and perhaps her best-known book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Her screenplay based on that book, which became the 1991 film Fried Green Tomatoes, would earn her an Academy Award nomination. She has also written Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! (1998) and Standing in the Rainbow (2002). A Christmas book, A Redbird Christmas, came out in November 2004. Her most recent book, titled Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, was released in 2006.

During the 1970s, Flagg was a fixture on game show panels. She is best known for her appearances on the game show Match Game. Her acting credits include the Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the movies Some of My Best Friends Are, Five Easy Pieces, Stay Hungry, Grease and Crazy in Alabama, as well as minor roles in various television shows.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Flagg recorded two comedy albums with various skits that included many parodies of Lady Bird Johnson and Martha Mitchell. Also during the 1960s Fannie Flagg hosted a morning show on WBRC-TV (channel 6) in Birmingham, and occasionally reported the weather in the 1970s on the same station.

Flagg divides her time between homes in California and Alabama.