Alice Stewart Trillin | |
---|---|
Born |
Alice Stewart May 8, 1938 Port Chester, New York |
Died | September 11, 2001 New York City |
(aged 63)
Cause of death | Heart failure |
Alma mater |
Wellesley College Yale University |
Occupation | Educator, author, film producer |
Known for | Work with cancer patients |
Spouse(s) | Calvin Trillin (1965-2001; her death) |
Parents |
|
Alice Stewart Trillin (May 8, 1938 – September 11, 2001) was an American educator, author, film producer and longtime muse to her husband, author Calvin Trillin. She was also known for her work with cancer patients. Alice Trillin is a recurring subject in Calvin Trillin's writings, including his 2006 book titled About Alice.
Alice Stewart was born in Port Chester, New York, to Dorothy and James Stewart, a businessman and inventor specializing in coin changers of vending machines. After attending public school in Harrison, New York she earned a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1960 and an M.A. in English from Yale University in 1961. She subsequently taught English at Hofstra University and at the City University of New York, where she became a writing program specialist.
She married Calvin "Bud" Trillin in 1965 after having met him at a party hosted by Victor Navasky. She regularly made appearances in Trillin's writings – including books such as American Fried, Alice, Let's Eat and Third Helpings – often as the voice of calm reason. Bud Trillin acknowledged that his writings created an impression of Alice as "a dietitian in sensible shoes" – which was perhaps not matched by reality.
Trillin's interest in curriculum development led her to consult for WNET television station and help it design new approaches to educational programming. She formed a company "Learning Designs" to produce educational television series, such as Behind the Scenes, starring the illusionist duo Penn & Teller, aiming to teach pre-teens about the creative process in the visual and performing arts. The series won several awards including the Japan Prize (Best of Festival) in the largest international children's film festival.