Khouri began as a producer of music videos and production coordinator of the "Rigoletto" segment of the film "Aria" (1987) before writing the script for the controversial "Thelma & Louise" (1991). Praised as an exuberant, liberating, feminist buddy film and female take on road movies by a majority of critics, the feature was also reviled by others as a pseudo-feminist revenge fantasy in which the two central characters shoot and kill a man with his hands raised in surrender, rob a convenience store and choose suicide over facing the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, critical and popular favor came down on Khouri's side, with the writer winning several awards, most notably an Oscar. Whatever the screenplay's merits or compromises, it did raise issues about gender politics which were hotly debated by both media and public alike. That feat was not repeated by Khouri's subsequent screenplay for "Something to Talk About" (1995), a popular and generally well-received comedy-drama about a woman's world turned upside down by her husband's infidelity. The feminist sentiments were still there, but the tone was inescapably gentler and more eager to please.
Profession(s):
screenwriter, producer, Actor, director, waitress, receptionist, salesclerk
Sometimes Credited As:
Carolyn Ann Khouri
Academy Award Best Original Screenplay "Thelma & Louise" 1992
Golden Globe Award Best Screenplay "Thelma & Louise" 1992
Writers Guild of America Award Best Original Screenplay "Thelma & Louise" 1992
2008 Helmed the comedy, "Mad Money" co-starring Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah
2002 Feature directorial debut with "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"; also wrote adapted screenplay
1996 Announced plans to make her directorial debut with the feature "Virgin of the Rodeo"; never produced
1995 Scripted "Something to Talk About" starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid
1991 Scripted and produced first feature, "Thelma & Louise"
1991 Signed a two-picture writing and directing deal with James L Brooks's Gracie Films (July)
1987 Production coordinator for the "Rigoletto" segment of the anthology "Aria"
Family moved to a log cabin in Paducah, KY when she was six
Moved to Nashville, TN where she acted in theater productions and supported herself as a waitress
Settled in Los Angeles; studied acting and worked as receptionist at a commercial and music video production house
Began producing pop music videos for acts such as Alice Cooper, Robert Cray and Winger
