Bill Balas

William Balas (February 19, 1974 – April 16, 2025) was an American screenwriter, film director and television producer best known for his work on the A&E series Bates Motel and the TNT series Animal Kingdom.

Background Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Balas graduated from the American Film Institute, where he earned a MFA in Screenwriting. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, California, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant and underwent a successful double-lung transplant in his early twenties. Balas died at his home on April 16, 2025, at the age of 51.

Awards Writers Guild of America, West 2015 Writer Access Project Honoree (Affliction)

Slamdance Film Festival 2010 Teleplay Competition: Original Pilot Winner (Murphy's Last Stand)

American Screenwriting Competition 2006 Grand Prize Winner (The Pros and Cons of Breathing)

International Student Film Festival Hollywood 2006 Best Horror/Thriller Winner (House of the Rising Sun)

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation 2005 Production Award Winner (The Pros and Cons of Breathing)