Ralph Schoenstein

Who was Ralph Schoenstein?

Ralph Schoenstein was an American writer and humorist. He was a frequent commentator to NPR's All Things Considered.

Schoenstein grew up in Manhattan, and graduated from Columbia University.

He began writing after a brief stint in the army, and became the author of over 18 novels and non-fiction works. His 1960 memoir The Block, tells of his growing up on New York's Upper West Side. 1978's Citizen Paul is a remembrance of his father, Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper editor Paul Schoenstein. Schoenstein was also the ghostwriter of a number of books for celebrities like Joan Rivers, Ed McMahon, and Bill Cosby.

He was a frequent contributor to The New Yorker, The New York Times, New York Daily News, Newsday, and Playboy. In addition to All Things Considered, Schoenstein also provided humorous commentaries for the ABC Evening News and the Today Show. He also wrote several articles for the early issues of the National Lampoon. Schoenstein became friends with the Lampoon editorial staff, who named the Animal House character Donald "Boon" Schoenstein after him.

Schoenstein, who resided in Princeton, New Jersey, died on August 24, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from complications following heart surgery.