Columbia natives come of age, and those who migrate here for school eventually graduate. Students from both groups go on to affect the world beyond this ZIP code, sending out ripples of influence.
We’ve recently examined the right-here, right-now impact on popular culture made by graduates of Stephens College and the University of Missouri . Our three-part series concludes with a look at nine people, who either attended Columbia College or a local high school, who are changing the weather around them through art and pop culture.
Jake Adelstein (Rock Bridge High School)
The longtime journalist, who began his career in Japan, turned author with the 2009 memoir “Tokyo Vice.” The book’s success inspired fellow Rock Bridge Bruin J.T. Rogers — more on Rogers in a moment — to adapt the show for an HBO series, which ran for two seasons before its stay ended this summer. Adelstein has continued to tell crime stories on the page, with books such as last year’s “The Last Yakuza” and the upcoming “Tokyo Noir.”
Simon Barrett (Hickman High School)
Carving out a place for himself in early collaborations with filmmakers like Alex Turner, Adam Wingard and Joe Swanberg (“Red Sands,” “You’re Next,” “Autoerotic” and more), the screenwriter has put his pen to several recent hits, including 2016’s “Blair Witch” and this year’s smash “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which he co-wrote with Terry Rossio and Jeremy Slater. Barrett also earned his own director’s chair with the 2021 horror film “Seance.”
Amy and Rob Benedict (Rock Bridge)
The Benedict siblings have maintained a steady presence on TV and in film. Rob Benedict (TV’s “Supernatural,” “Waiting”) most recently appeared in episodes of “The Boys” and “Law and Order.” Amy Benedict, who owns credits on a number of high-profile shows, has roles in recent and forthcoming indie films listed on her IMDb page.
Peter Hessler (Hickman)
The Columbia-raised journalist has shaped our modern understanding of the other side of the world with numerous books about China as well as “The Buried,” which details a pivotal moment of revolution in Egypt. Hessler also owns numerous bylines at The New Yorker and National Geographic.
Arliss Howard (Columbia College)
The veteran actor, screenwriter and director appeared on-screen in ’80s staples such as “Full Metal Jacket” and “Tequila Sunrise” and more contemporary classics such as “Moneyball.” Howard has written and directed for both the big and small screens and will play a part in the upcoming Western “The Thicket,” alongside Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis and Metallica frontman James Hetfield.
J.T. Rogers (Rock Bridge)
Before his work on “Tokyo Vice,” Rogers earned Tony, Drama Desk and Obie awards for his play “Oslo,” which he adapted into a 2021 film for HBO. Rogers has penned an impressive array of work for the theater, including “Corruption,” which enjoyed its premiere at Lincoln Center this year.
Nischelle Turner (Rock Bridge)
Also mentioned in our list of MU graduates, the Emmy winner has informed and charmed audiences of shows such as “Entertainment Tonight” and “Secret Celebrity Renovation.”
David Wax (Rock Bridge)
Half of the band David Wax Museum with Suz Slezak, his collaborator and spouse, Wax continues to shape sonic possibility. The duo weaves folk music from across North America with strains of pop and rock to create something vibrant and soulful. The band’s most recent effort, last year’s “You Must Change Your Life,” was a high-water mark, and David Wax Museum continues to be embraced as festival darlings across the United States and the wider world…