About David Leaf
Born 1952. David Leaf is an American film director and screenwriter.
David Leaf (born April 20, 1952) is an American writer, director, and producer who is best known for his associations with Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys since the late 1970s.
Leaf's 1978 biography, The Beach Boys and the California Myth, examined the behind-the-scenes tensions and family history that had never been previously covered publicly. According to music critic Richie Unterberger, Leaf was "the first author to write extensively, and honestly, about the Beach Boys."
Leaf also wrote the first authorized biography of the Bee Gees.
His latest book, SMiLE: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Brian Wilson, was released on April 15, 2025.
His honors include a Peabody and WGAW award. Since 2010, Leaf has been a professor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
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Important facts
People in David Leaf's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped David Leaf's
Frequently asked questions
Who is David Leaf?
American film director and writer
When was David Leaf born?
David Leaf was born on 20 April 1952.
What is David Leaf's occupation?
David Leaf is a film director and screenwriter.
What nationality is David Leaf?
David Leaf is American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Leaf. https://biography.guide/david-leaf/
MLA: "David Leaf." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-leaf/.
Chicago: "David Leaf." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-leaf/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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