AKA: Daniel Mannix Petrie, Jr
Nationality: American
Literary agent turned screenwriter who scored with the Eddie Murphy box-office smash, "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984) and wrote the offbeat, steamy New Orleans-set thriller, "The Big Easy" (1986). Petrie began a second career as a producer with "Shoot to Kill" (1988) and made his directorial debut with the prep school drama, "Toy Soldiers" (1991). Son of director Daniel Petrie and producer Dorothea Petrie and brother of AFI-trained director Donald Petrie ("Mystic Pizza" 1988, "Grumpy Old Men" 1993).
Characters as Source Material
1987
Characters as Source Material
1976
Began career in mailroom of ICM talent and literary agency; moved up to position of reader, then agent for writers and directors (date approximate)
1981
Stopped working as agent to concentrate on screenwriting
Wrote first screenplay, "The Expert", an AFI short film (directed by his brother Donald Petrie)
Sold first screenplay, "The Big Easy" (filmed in 1986)
1984
First screenplay to be produced, "Beverly Hills Cop"
