What Happened to Tom Junod?
Tom Junod is an acclaimed American journalist known for his long-form narrative profiles and essays, notably for Esquire and ESPN. He recently published his highly anticipated memoir, "In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man," in March 2026, which delves into his complex relationship with his father and the nature of masculinity. He continues to work as a senior writer for ESPN.com.
Quick Answer
Tom Junod, a celebrated American journalist and two-time National Magazine Award winner, is currently a senior writer for ESPN.com. In March 2026, he released his first book, a memoir titled "In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man," which explores his relationship with his father and themes of masculinity. He has been actively promoting the book through interviews and appearances, including a lecture at The Church's Creativity Conference in Sag Harbor in April 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Wantagh, New York
Tom Junod is born in Wantagh, New York.
Graduates from University at Albany, SUNY
Junod earns a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the State University of New York at Albany, graduating magna cum laude.
Joins Atlanta Magazine as Staff Writer
After years of freelance work, Junod secures a staff writer position at Atlanta Magazine, marking his entry into consistent magazine journalism.
Becomes Staff Writer for Esquire Magazine
Junod follows editor David Granger from GQ to Esquire, where he would become known for his distinctive long-form journalism.
Controversial Kevin Spacey Profile
Junod publishes a controversial profile of Kevin Spacey in Esquire that the actor described as "mean-spirited" and "homophobic," causing a temporary stall in Junod's career.
Publishes Fred Rogers Profile
Junod writes the influential Esquire profile of Fred Rogers, 'Can You Say... Hero?', which later inspired the 2019 film 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.'
Publishes 'The Falling Man'
His acclaimed essay 'The Falling Man,' about a photograph from the 9/11 attacks, is published in Esquire and becomes one of the magazine's most iconic pieces.
Wins James Beard Award
Junod receives the James Beard Award for his Esquire essay 'My Mom Couldn't Cook.'
Joins ESPN as Senior Writer
Junod transitions from Esquire to ESPN, becoming a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, focusing on sports journalism.
Film 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' Released
The feature film based on Junod's 1998 Fred Rogers profile, starring Tom Hanks, is released to critical acclaim.
Co-authors Investigative Story on Todd Hodne
Junod and Paula Lavigne publish an investigative story uncovering the crimes of former Penn State football player Todd Hodne.
Memoir 'In the Days of My Youth' Published
Junod's first book, a memoir titled 'In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man,' is published by Doubleday, exploring his father and masculinity.
Interview with Vulture on Memoir
Junod is interviewed by Vulture, discussing the deeply personal and challenging process of writing his memoir about his father.
Scheduled to Speak at Creativity Conference
Junod is scheduled to wrap up The Church's fifth annual Creativity Conference in Sag Harbor with a lecture titled 'The Secrets of Creativity.'
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Tom Junod, born April 9, 1958, established himself as one of America's most distinctive and influential long-form journalists over several decades. After graduating from the University at Albany, SUNY, in 1980, Junod began his career with freelance work before joining Atlanta magazine and later contributing to Sports Illustrated, Life, and GQ. His career significantly blossomed when he followed editor David Granger to Esquire magazine in 1997, where he became renowned for his immersive profiles and essays that often explored complex human experiences and societal issues.
Key turning points in Junod's career include his 1998 profile of Fred Rogers, which profoundly impacted him and later served as the basis for the 2019 film 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.' Another seminal work was 'The Falling Man' (2003), his poignant exploration of an iconic photograph from the 9/11 attacks, which was recognized as one of Esquire's best stories. Junod's willingness to tackle controversial subjects, sometimes leading to backlash, such as his 1997 profile of Kevin Spacey, underscored his commitment to journalistic depth, even at personal and professional cost.
In July 2016, Junod transitioned to ESPN as a senior writer, shifting his focus towards sports-related narratives while maintaining his signature long-form style. His work at ESPN has continued to garner accolades, including an Emmy Award and the Dan Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting. Throughout his career, Junod has been a recipient of numerous awards, including two National Magazine Awards and a James Beard Award.
The most significant recent development in Junod's career is the publication of his first book, a memoir titled "In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man," released by Doubleday in March 2026. The memoir is a deeply personal investigation into his philandering father, Lou Junod, and a broader exploration of masculinity, family secrets, and personal identity. Junod spent a decade reporting and writing the 400-page book, unearthing difficult truths about his family, including previously unknown relatives and instances of abuse.
As of April 10, 2026, Tom Junod remains a senior writer for ESPN and is actively engaged in promoting his memoir. He has participated in several interviews and public discussions, reflecting on the emotional challenges and revelations involved in writing such a personal narrative. His book has been critically acclaimed, with The Wall Street Journal calling it "one of the great literary tributes to a complex paterfamilias in recent memory." He is scheduled to deliver a lecture on "The Secrets of Creativity" at The Church's fifth annual Creativity Conference in Sag Harbor in April 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Tom Junod made different choices?