33 Interesting Facts about Jeff Kinney

Dan April 29, 2023

Jeff Kinney is an American author and cartoonist, best known for his popular children’s book series, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” He was born on February 19, 1971, in Maryland and grew up in Fort Washington, Maryland. After studying computer science at the University of Maryland, he moved to New England to pursue a career in writing and cartooning.

Kinney began his career as a game designer and created a popular online game called “Poptropica.” In 2004, he started working on his first book, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” which he originally published as a webcomic on Funbrain.com. The book was a huge success, and it quickly became a bestseller. Since then, Kinney has written and illustrated more than 15 books in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, which have sold over 250 million copies worldwide.

In addition to his work as an author and cartoonist, Kinney is also a philanthropist. He founded the Jeff Kinney Foundation to support programs that promote literacy and the arts for young people. He has also been involved in several other charitable causes, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and First Book, which provides books to children from low-income families.

Despite his success, Kinney remains humble and down-to-earth. He has said that he never expected the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series to become as popular as it has, and he is grateful for his success. He continues to live in Massachusetts with his wife and two sons, and he is currently working on new projects, including a children’s animated series based on his book series.

What about Jeff Kinney interesting facts? Here are 33 interesting facts about Jeff Kinney.

1. Jeff Kinney was born on February 19, 1971, in Maryland, USA.
2. His full name is Jeffrey Patrick Kinney.
3. He grew up in Fort Washington, Maryland.
4. Kinney attended the University of Maryland and studied computer science.
5. He is a game designer and created an online game called “Poptropica.”
6. Kinney is best known for his “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book series, which has sold over 250 million copies worldwide.
7. He originally started the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series as a webcomic on Funbrain.com.
8. Kinney has published over 15 books in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.
9. He has also written and illustrated other books, including “The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book” and “The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary.”
10. Kinney has won several awards for his work, including the Children’s Choice Book Award and the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award.
11. He has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
12. Kinney’s favorite book as a child was “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss.
13. He is a fan of comic strips and was inspired by the work of cartoonists like Charles Schulz and Gary Larson.
14. Kinney has said that he enjoys writing and illustrating books because it allows him to be his own boss.
15. He is also a fan of video games, and has said that he enjoys playing games like “Minecraft” and “Fortnite.”
16. Kinney’s favorite TV shows are “The Office” and “Seinfeld.”
17. He is a big fan of the New England Patriots football team.
18. Kinney has a pet turtle named “Franklin” who has appeared in some of his books.
19. He is married and has two sons.
20. Kinney has a brother who is also a writer and cartoonist, named Patrick Kinney.
21. He is involved in several charitable causes, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and First Book.
22. Kinney has a foundation called the Jeff Kinney Foundation, which supports programs that promote literacy and the arts for young people.
23. He has a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” themed amusement park ride at Universal Studios in Florida.
24. Kinney has a YouTube channel where he posts videos about his books and creative process.
25. He enjoys listening to music while he works and has said that he likes bands like Weezer and Radiohead.
26. Kinney has said that he is an introvert and enjoys spending time alone.
27. He has a fear of public speaking and has said that he finds it difficult to give interviews.
28. Kinney’s favorite food is pizza.
29. He has said that he enjoys visiting schools and speaking to children about his books.
30. Kinney has a book club called “Poptropica Book Club” where he recommends books to young readers.
31. He has a collection of antique typewriters.
32. Kinney has said that he enjoys reading memoirs and biographies.
33. Kinney’s hometown of Fort Washington, Maryland, was the inspiration for the fictional town of Westmore Middle School in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.

Jeff Kinney is a talented and accomplished author, illustrator, and game designer whose work has captivated the hearts of millions of readers around the world. He is best known for his “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, which has become a cultural phenomenon and inspired a new generation of young readers to develop a love for reading. His success is a testament to his creative talent and his ability to connect with young people in a meaningful way. Kinney’s dedication to promoting literacy and the arts for young people is also admirable, and he has made a significant impact through his charitable work and foundation. Overall, Jeff Kinney is a true inspiration to aspiring writers and creators everywhere, and his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of readers and writers for many years to come.