Nick Schenk

Schenk was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and grew up in the neighboring city of Fridley. He graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1989.
During the mid-1990s, he played the character of Butch the Janitor on the television series, Let's Bowl, during its initial syndicated run. He went on to be a writer for the series during its run on Comedy Central from 2001-2002. He also made appearances in small roles during this time.
In 2007, Nick Schenk was a writer and producer for Bodog Fight (the mixed-martial arts competition television show) when his screenplay for Gran Torino was optioned by Jenette Kahn. When Clint Eastwood read it, he not only decided to direct and star in it but he also insisted that not a word be changed by the studio. Subsequently the only script changes made were to tailor it to the location where it was shot (Michigan) as opposed to Minnesota…