David L. Paterson

David Lord Paterson (born 1966) is an American screenwriter, actor and producer.

In August 1974, Paterson's best friend, eight-year-old Lisa Hill, was struck by lightning and killed. His mother, author Katherine Paterson, used this real-life experience as the basis for her children's novel ''Bridge to Terabithia''. David Paterson produced and co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of the novel released in 2007.

He graduated from The Catholic University of America in 1989 with a BA. Paterson held a special advance screening of ''Bridge to Terabithia'' on February 1, 2007, for members of the CUA community at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland.

As a playwright Paterson has published over one dozen titles with Samuel French, Inc. He holds the record for being the only playwright ever to have three plays premiere on New York stages within one month.

In December 2012, Paterson ran a write-in campaign for Park District Commissioner of Manhasset, and won against the Incumbent.

In the Fall of 2016, his feature film, ''The Great Gilly Hopkins'', based on another book written by his mother, opened in US theaters. The film starred Kathy Bates, Bill Cobbs, and Sophie Nélisse. Provided by Wikipedia