Kenneth William Kwapis is a seasoned American filmmaker, screenwriter, and author who has worked in both film and television. He has made a name for himself in the entertainment sector with his creative vision and storytelling abilities, specializing in single-camera comedy. In addition to "Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird" (1985), "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (2005), and "He's Just Not That Into You" (2009), he has directed a number of important feature films over his career.

Kwapis was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, and raised there before moving to the nearby town of Belleville. His upbringing was greatly influenced by his parents, Marge and Bruno Walter Kwapis. A strong work ethic and a love of storytelling were fostered in him by Marge and Bruno, an oral surgeon. Kwapis was brought up in the Catholic faith and is of Polish origin. He continued to hone his artistic abilities while attending the esteemed St. Louis University High School, a Jesuit prep school.

Kwapis continued his schooling and graduated from Northwestern University's School of Speech with a Bachelor's degree. After finishing his undergraduate work, he headed west and enrolled in the M.F.A. program at the USC School of Cinema-Television, beginning a quest to hone his craft and broaden his horizons as an artist.

When Kwapis's twenty-four-minute thesis film, "For Heaven's Sake," received the prestigious Student Academy Award in 1982, it was evident that he had talent and commitment from an early age. The movie, a modernized version of Mozart's one-act opera "Der Schauspieldirektor" (The Impresario), demonstrated Kwapis's talent for adding his own distinctive perspective to great works.

Kwapis has contributed as a novelist in addition to his work in the film industry. His book, "But What I Really Want to Do Is Direct: Lessons from a Life Behind the Camera," draws from his personal experiences in the field to provide aspiring filmmakers with priceless insights and counsel..

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