Tom Junod
Definition
Tom Junod is an acclaimed American journalist and senior writer for ESPN.com, known for his long-form profiles and essays published in magazines like Esquire, GQ, Life, and Sports Illustrated.
He gained widespread recognition for his 1998 Esquire article 'Can You Say... Hero?', a profile of Fred Rogers that inspired the 2019 film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
A two-time National Magazine Award winner, Junod has also contributed to documentaries like Won't You Be My Neighbor? and investigative pieces, such as a 2022 ESPN story on Penn State football scandals.
In 2026, he published his debut memoir 'In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man', exploring family secrets from his father's life.
Examples
Tom Junod's Mr. Rogers profile was so soul-stirring, it made even the grumpiest neighbors hum 'It's a Beautiful Day'.
After Tom Junod outed Kevin Spacey in Esquire, Hollywood learned that prying journalists have sharper tongues than scripted drama.
Tom Junod's 'Falling Man' essay captured 9/11's heartbreak with the precision of a photo that words wish they could be.
Tom Junod's new memoir dishes family dirt funnier than a reality show—proving dads can be the real priapic plot twists.