David Sedaris Biography: Net Worth, Partner, Age, Children, Parents, Siblings, Height, Family, Books, Wiki

Biography

David Raymond Sedaris is a creative American humorist, essayist, and radio contributor born on December 26, 1956, in Johnson City, New York.

Known for his sharp wit and self-deprecating style, he gained fame with his essay collection Naked (1997) and the bestselling Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000). His autobiographical works often explore family dynamics, cultural observations, and personal quirks, blending humour with poignant insights.

Sedaris regularly contributes to The New Yorker and NPR’s This American Life. He lives in England and continues to publish and perform his essays worldwide.

American humorist and comedian
David Sedaris
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	David Raymond Sedaris
Stage Name:	David Sedaris
Born:	26 December 1956 (age 68 years old)
Place of Birth:	Johnson City, New York, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Jesse O. Sanderson High School, Western Carolina University, Kent State University
Height:	1.65 m
Parents:	Sharon Sedaris, Lou Sedaris
Siblings:	Amy Sedaris, Paul Sedaris, Tiffany Sedaris, Gretchen Sedaris, Lisa Sedaris
Spouse:	Not Married
Boyfriend • Partner:	Hugh Hamrick
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Comedian • Humorist
Net Worth:	$8 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

David Raymond Sedaris was born on December 26, 1956, in Johnson City, New York, and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He is of Greek descent through his father, Louis Harry Sedaris, an IBM engineer, and his mother, Sharon Elizabeth Sedaris (née Leonard), who was of English and Scottish descent. The Sedaris family was Greek Orthodox Christian, though David has described his upbringing as culturally Christian with minimal religious observance.

David is one of six siblings: sisters Lisa Sedaris, Gretchen Sedaris, Amy Sedaris, Tiffany Sedaris, and brother Paul Sedaris. His sister, Amy Sedaris, is also a well-known writer and comedian.

Growing up in a lively, eccentric household, David often draws on his family’s dynamics and quirks in his humorous essays. He has described his childhood as middle-class, marked by his parents’ distinct personalities and the chaos of a large family.

Sedaris attended Jesse O. Sanderson High School in Raleigh. He briefly enrolled at Western Carolina University in 1974 but dropped out after a semester. Later, he attended Kent State University in Ohio from 1977 to 1978, again leaving without a degree.

In 1983, he moved to Chicago and enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987. During these years, he held odd jobs, including working as a house cleaner and performance artist, experiences that later fueled his writing.

Career

David Sedaris has built a celebrated career as a humorist, essayist, and radio contributor by transforming everyday experiences into sharply funny, self-aware narratives.

His big break came in 1992 when he read his essay “SantaLand Diaries” on NPR’s Morning Edition, a hilarious recounting of his time working as a Christmas elf at Macy’s. The piece introduced audiences to his signature blend of dry wit, self-deprecating humour, and keen observational insight, earning him national acclaim.

Following the success of SantaLand Diaries, Sedaris published his debut book Barrel Fever in 1994, a mix of essays and short stories. He quickly followed with Naked (1997), a deeply personal collection that balanced humour with raw reflections on family, sexuality, and oddball encounters, solidifying his voice in the literary world.

His 2000 release, Me Talk Pretty One Day, chronicling his move to France and the comic misadventures of learning a new language, became a bestseller and further cemented his reputation as one of America’s foremost humorists.

Sedaris continued to mine his life and travels for material in subsequent books like Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004), When You Are Engulfed in Flames (2008), Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls (2013), and Calypso (2018)—each blending intimate, poignant storytelling with his unmistakable comedic edge.

His 2022 collection, Happy-Go-Lucky, tackles themes of aging, grief, and life during the pandemic with his usual blend of dark humour and emotional honesty.

Beyond print, Sedaris has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker and a frequent voice on This American Life. His live readings attract sold-out audiences around the world, admired as much for his storytelling prowess as for his wry, deadpan delivery.

Alongside his sister, actress and comedian Amy Sedaris, he has co-written several plays under the pseudonym “The Talent Family.” He also published Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk (2010), a unique collection of satirical animal fables.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Sedaris has sold over 10 million books, with his works translated into 25 languages. He’s been honoured with numerous awards, including Grammy nominations for his audiobook recordings and the prestigious Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Splitting his time between the U.S., England, and France, Sedaris continues to write, perform, and connect with readers through his singular voice—equal parts funny, vulnerable, and deeply human.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: David Sedaris
• Facebook: David Sedaris
• Instagram: David Sedaris (@davidsedarisbooks)

Personal Life

David Sedaris was born on December 26, 1956. As of June 14, 2025, he is 68 years old.

He is not married and has never been married. Sedaris is openly gay and has been in a long-term relationship with Hugh Hamrick, an American painter and set designer, since the early 1990s. He has no children and has humorously written about his views on not wanting children, as well as his observations of family life through his siblings and their offspring.

His height is 1.65 m. He has been private about his relationships, but his long-term partnership with Hamrick is well-documented in his essays and interviews. They met in New York in the early 1990s and have lived together in various locations, including France, England, and the United States.

Sedaris frequently references Hamrick in his writing, often highlighting their dynamic with affection and humour. There is little public information about any prior romantic relationships, as Sedaris tends to focus on his life with Hamrick in his work.

His essays, such as those in Calypso (2018) and Happy-Go-Lucky (2022), offer glimpses into his personal life, particularly his relationship with Hamrick, their shared homes, and their travels. His openness about his identity and partnership has been a consistent thread in his work, contributing to his relatable and candid storytelling style.

Net Worth

David Sedaris, an American humorist, author, and radio contributor, has an estimated net worth of $8 million.

His wealth primarily stems from his bestselling essay collections, such as Me Talk Pretty One Day and Calypso, which have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Additional income comes from his contributions to NPR, The New Yorker, and BBC Radio 4, as well as lucrative public speaking engagements and live tours.

Sedaris also owns multiple properties, including a 16th-century farmhouse in West Sussex, England, a beach house in North Carolina, and apartments in Paris and London, contributing to his financial stability.

Books by David Sedaris

1. Barrel Fever (1994)
   • A collection of essays and short stories, marking his debut. Includes the notable “SantaLand Diaries.”
2. Naked (1997)
   • A memoir-style essay collection exploring his childhood, family, and early adulthood.
3. Holidays on Ice (1997)
   • A collection of humorous holiday-themed essays, including a revised version of “SantaLand Diaries.”
4. Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000)
   • A bestselling essay collection focusing on his life in France, language struggles, and family dynamics.
5. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004)
   • Essays about family, relationships, and personal experiences, blending humor and poignancy.
6. When You Are Engulfed in Flames (2008)
   • A collection of essays, including the notable piece “The Smoking Section” about his attempt to quit smoking.
7. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary (2010)
   • A collection of animal-themed fables with illustrations by Ian Falconer, offering darkly humorous social commentary.
8. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls (2013)
   • A mix of essays and fictional monologues, covering travel, family, and cultural observations.
9. Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977–2002) (2017)
   • A selection of diary entries offering insight into his early life, writing process, and personal growth.
10. Calypso (2018)
    • Essays reflecting on aging, family, and life with his partner, Hugh Hamrick, set partly in North Carolina.
11. The Best of Me (2020)
    • A curated collection of his favorite essays and stories from previous works, selected by Sedaris.
12. A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries (2003–2020) (2021)
    • A second volume of diary entries, chronicling his travels, writing career, and personal life.
13. Happy-Go-Lucky (2022)
    • Essays exploring aging, the pandemic, family loss (including his father’s death), and his relationship with Hugh.
14. Pretty Ugly (2024)
    • A children’s book, illustrated by Ian Falconer, featuring a humorous tale about an ogre named Anna Van Ogre.

Other Notable Works

• Plays:
  • Sedaris collaborated with his sister, Amy Sedaris, under the pseudonym “The Talent Family” to write several plays, including Stump the Host (1993), Stitches (1994), and The Little Frieda Mysteries (1997), performed in New York.
• Radio and Essays:
  • Regular contributor to This American Life on NPR, where he first gained fame with “SantaLand Diaries” (1992).  
  • Frequent essays in The New Yorker, covering personal anecdotes, cultural commentary, and travel.  
  • Contributor to BBC Radio 4, including readings of his essays and diaries.
• Audiobooks:
  • Sedaris has recorded many of his books as audiobooks, often narrating himself, earning Grammy nominations for Best Spoken Word Album for titles like Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and When You Are Engulfed in Flames.
• Anthologies and Contributions:
  • His essays have appeared in various anthologies, such as The New Yorker collections and humor compilations.  
  • Contributed forewords and introductions to books, including works by other humorists.