Sam Ingraffia

He was born in Chicago but grew up in Los Angeles. He attended UCLA and shortly after graduating with honors, began his writing and acting career.

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Sam had no show business connections when he started in the industry, so his original plan was to write material for himself to help his burgeoning acting career. “In the beginning, I was the only one who would cast me.”

 

He and another actor wrote a short pilot presentation in which they played the two leads. They performed excerpts from the project at comedy clubs and showcases all around Los Angeles. The project was eventually optioned by Universal Studios. The pilot never sold, but that was the beginning of his long, successful career as a writer. 

 

Ingraffia has written novels, short stories, feature films, episodic television, network pilots, Pink Panther cartoons, stage plays, HBO comedy specials and multiple internet series.

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As as an actor, he’s made over 100 film and television appearances. 

 

"I hope my novels can elicit a little of the excitement I felt the first time I read some of the great American noir master, like Raymond Chandler, Richard Block, Jim Thompson and Ross MacDonald. And maybe my words can bring on a few smiles like the ones that crossed my face when I read Donald Westlake's Dortmunder series and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. The Charlie McGinley novels are my humble attempt to put my own spin on a genre I love -- noir mystery. I only hope you have as much fun reading my books as I do writing them." 

 

When Sam's not in his office writing, or on a set acting, he can often be found in his home workshop finishing a woodworking project. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two cats, Oscar and Felix.

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