John Green
John Green is an American bestselling author, YouTube creator, and educator known for novels such as Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars. His work also reaches millions through online learning projects and global health advocacy. In 2026, he returned to fiction with his first novel for adults, Hollywood, Ending.
Who Is John Green?
John Green is an American writer best known for young adult fiction that explores love, grief, identity, illness, and the search for meaning. He later built a large online audience with his brother Hank. His books have been published in more than 55 languages, with over 60 million copies in print worldwide.
| Date of birth | August 24, 1977 |
| Age | 49 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Profession | Author, essayist, YouTube creator, and educator |
| Education | Indian Springs School and Kenyon College |
| Wife and children | Sarah Urist Green and their two children |
| Best-known books | Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars |
| Latest novel | Hollywood, Ending, published September 22, 2026 |
| Home | Indianapolis, Indiana |
John Green at a Glance
These facts summarize Green’s background, family, education, and best-known work.
How Old Is John Green?
John Green is 49 years old as of 2026. He was born on August 24, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. His birthday had passed by the article’s publication date of October 30, 2026.
What Was John Green’s Early Life Like?
Green was born in Indiana but spent most of his childhood in Orlando, Florida. He also lived for a time near Birmingham, Alabama. He has described himself as a bookish and anxious child who sometimes felt isolated. Reading and listening closely to other people helped shape his interest in writing.
He later attended Indian Springs School, a boarding school in Alabama, where he said he found community and support. After graduating, he enrolled at Kenyon College in Ohio and studied English and religious studies.
Where Did John Green Go to College?
John Green attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he majored in English and religious studies. Before college, he spent part of his youth in Orlando and Birmingham and attended Indian Springs School in Alabama.
After graduating from Kenyon in 2000, he worked briefly at Booklist magazine and considered ministry before turning to writing and online projects.
Who Is John Green’s Wife, and Does He Have Children?
John Green is married to Sarah Urist Green, whom he married in 2006. Sarah is a museum professional and art educator who has worked with the Indianapolis Museum of Art and hosts the PBS Digital Studios series The Art Assignment.
The couple have two children and live in Indianapolis, Indiana. Green keeps his children’s details private, but he has spoken warmly about fatherhood in essays and videos.
Where Does John Green Live?
John Green lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife and two children. He was born in Indianapolis but spent much of his childhood elsewhere before returning to the city as an adult.
What Has John Green Shared About OCD and Mental Health?
John Green has spoken openly about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. He has described intrusive thoughts and the mental routines he uses to manage them, and he has said the condition shapes both his daily life and his writing.
His advocacy for mental health awareness includes essays, videos, and public conversations about seeking treatment. Turtles All the Way Down draws directly on his experience with OCD and anxiety.
What Is John Green’s Religion?
John Green has described himself as a person of faith and has discussed religion in essays and interviews. He studied religion at Kenyon College and has explored spiritual questions in his writing, including in Turtles All the Way Down and the Anthropocene Reviewed.
What Is John Green’s Net Worth?
John Green’s exact net worth has not been confirmed in a reliable public financial record. Online estimates vary and should not be treated as verified figures. His bestselling books, film adaptations, and online businesses show a successful career, but they do not reveal his personal assets, costs, or ownership arrangements.
John Green’s Books and Writing Career
John Green’s writing career began with Looking for Alaska, published in 2005, which won the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature. His novels combine emotional honesty, humor, and philosophical questions that appeal to readers of many ages.
Which John Green Books Are Best Known?
John Green’s best-known books include Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, The Anthropocene Reviewed, and Everything Is Tuberculosis. The Fault in Our Stars became a global bestseller and a successful film.
- Looking for Alaska (2005): Green’s debut novel and Printz Award winner about a boarding-school friendship.
- Paper Towns (2008): a mystery-driven novel about image and identity, later adapted into a film.
- The Fault in Our Stars (2012): the bestselling cancer romance that made Green a global literary name.
- Turtles All the Way Down (2017): a novel drawn from Green’s own experience with OCD and anxiety.
| Year | Book | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Looking for Alaska | Debut novel; won the Printz Award |
| 2006 | An Abundance of Katherines | Road-trip comedy with mathematical themes |
| 2008 | Paper Towns | Mystery about image, identity, and growing up |
| 2012 | The Fault in Our Stars | Global bestseller; adapted into a hit film |
| 2017 | Turtles All the Way Down | Novel drawn from Green’s OCD and anxiety experience |
| 2021 | The Anthropocene Reviewed | Essay collection based on his podcast |
| 2025 | Everything Is Tuberculosis | Nonfiction about the history of tuberculosis |
| 2026 | Hollywood, Ending | His first novel for adults |
What Is John Green’s New Book in 2026?
John Green’s new book in 2026 is Hollywood, Ending, published on September 22, 2026. It is his first novel written for adults, marking a new stage in his fiction career.
Which John Green Books Have Been Adapted for Film and TV?
Several of John Green’s novels have reached the screen. The Fault in Our Stars became a major film hit in 2014, while Paper Towns was adapted in 2015 and Looking for Alaska became a Hulu limited series in 2019.
What Awards Has John Green Won?
John Green has won major literary awards, including the Michael L. Printz Award for Looking for Alaska and the Edgar Award for Paper Towns. His books have spent long runs on bestseller lists and earned wide critical recognition.
John Green’s Work Beyond Books
John Green co-founded the Nerdfighters community with his brother Hank Green in 2007. What began as a year of daily video messages became a lasting online movement centered on curiosity, learning, and decreasing world suck.
How Did Vlogbrothers Begin?
Vlogbrothers began in 2007 as a project in which John and Hank Green posted daily video messages to each other for a year. The project built a loyal audience and grew into a long-running YouTube channel with millions of subscribers.
What Is Crash Course?
Crash Course is the educational YouTube channel John and Hank Green launched in 2011 with support from YouTube. It offers fast-paced video courses on subjects from history and science to literature and economics, and it has become one of the largest educational channels on the platform.
Which Podcasts Has John Green Hosted?
John Green has hosted several podcasts, including The Anthropocene Reviewed, which he later adapted into a bestselling book, and Dear Hank and John, a comedy advice show co-hosted with his brother. His podcasting work extends his reach into audio storytelling.
John Green’s Advocacy and Public Impact
John Green is a prominent advocate for global health equity. His nonprofit work and fundraising have focused on tuberculosis treatment and maternal health, connecting his public platform with concrete causes.
Why Did John Green Write Everything Is Tuberculosis?
John Green wrote Everything Is Tuberculosis, published in March 2025, after years of work with Partners in Health on tuberculosis treatment in Sierra Leone. The book blends history, science, and personal stories to argue for fairer global health systems.
How Has John Green Supported Charitable Causes?
John Green has raised millions for charitable causes through Project for Awesome, the annual charity livestream he runs with his brother Hank. The event supports grassroots organizations around the world.
After John Green, you may also enjoy the biographies of Stephen King, Colleen Hoover, Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Brandon Sanderson, Anne Rice, Danielle Steel and Steve Hamilton.
What Is John Green’s Legacy?
John Green reshaped young adult literature by treating teenage readers with honesty and intellectual respect. His novels, educational videos, and advocacy work have influenced how a generation thinks about stories, learning, and public responsibility.
