Beau Willimon Speaking Fee: $50,000 to $75,000

Beau Willimon's journey into storytelling began amidst a life of constant movement. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, he experienced diverse cultures as his family relocated from Hawaii to San Francisco, Philadelphia, and eventually St. Louis, Missouri, following his father's retirement from the Navy. These varied experiences likely influenced his narrative sensibilities. At John Burroughs School in St. Louis, he delved into drama under the mentorship of Jon Hamm, graduating in 1995. He then pursued higher education at Columbia University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in history and visual arts in 1999. His academic journey continued with a Master of Fine Arts in playwriting from Columbia's School of the Arts in 2003. Before fully immersing himself in the arts, Willimon engaged deeply in the political arena. He contributed to several political campaigns, including those of Charles Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Bill Bradley, and Howard Dean. These experiences provided him with a unique insider's perspective on political dynamics, which later became a hallmark of his storytelling. Willimon's transition to theater saw the creation of notable works such as "Farragut North," inspired by his political experiences. The play's success led to its adaptation into the film "The Ides of March" in 2011, directed by George Clooney, with Willimon co-writing the screenplay. This work garnered him nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay. In 2013, Willimon broke new ground by developing the American version of "House of Cards" for Netflix, serving as showrunner for the first four seasons. The series, a political drama, received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, solidifying Netflix's position as a producer of original content. Expanding his repertoire, Willimon created "The First" in 2018, a Hulu series exploring the challenges of the first human mission to Mars. He also contributed as a writer to the Disney+ series "Andor," set in the "Star Wars" universe. Demonstrating his versatility, Willimon ventured into theater with his play "East Is South," which delves into themes of artificial intelligence and human consciousness. Throughout his career, Beau Willimon has seamlessly blended his political insights with his storytelling prowess, offering audiences nuanced narratives that reflect the complexities of contemporary society.