Franz Lidz is an American journalist and essayist best known for his long‑standing work with The New York Times, where his writing blends curiosity, wit, and a sharp eye for the eccentric. His features often spotlight overlooked figures, forgotten corners of culture, and the unexpected stories hidden in plain sight. With a background that spans sportswriting, memoir, and cultural reportage, Lidz has carved out a voice that is both playful and precise.

Before joining The New York Times, Lidz spent many years at Sports Illustrated, where he became known for profiles that pushed beyond the usual boundaries of sports journalism. His pieces often explored the psychology, mythology, and oddities surrounding athletes and the worlds they inhabit. This instinct for the offbeat also shaped his acclaimed memoir Unstrung Heroes, later adapted into a feature film, which showcased his ability to blend humor, melancholy, and narrative invention.

Across his career, Lidz has remained a writer drawn to the margins — to the strange, the forgotten, and the wonderfully human. Whether profiling a reclusive artist, chronicling a scientific curiosity, or revisiting the ghosts of his own past, he approaches each subject with empathy and a storyteller’s instinct. His work at The New York Times continues to reflect this sensibility, offering readers pieces that surprise, illuminate, and linger long after the final line.