Carolyn Ann “Callie” Khouri is an American film and television screenwriter, producer, and director whose work has had a lasting impact on modern cinema and television storytelling.
Khouri rose to prominence as the writer of Thelma & Louise, a landmark 1991 film that earned her the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film is widely regarded as a cultural classic and was inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in December 2016 for its historical and artistic significance.
Expanding her career beyond her breakout success, Khouri went on to write and produce several feature films, including Mad Money and the acclaimed Aretha Franklin biopic Respect.
In television, Khouri found major success as the creator of Nashville, which premiered on ABC in 2012 to strong critical response. The music-driven drama ran for six seasons and further established Khouri as a leading creative voice in serialized television, known for blending character-driven drama with cultural and social themes.
Across film and television, Khouri’s career is defined by bold storytelling, complex female characters, and projects that continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
