# Nico Walker
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{{short description|American author}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Nico Walker
| birth_name = Nicholas Walker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|4|19}}
| occupation = Writer
| nationality = American
| alma_mater = [John Carroll University](/source/John_Carroll_University)
| period = 2018–present
| notable_works = ''[Cherry](/source/Cherry_(novel))''
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Kara Walker|2005|2006|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Rachel Rabbit White|2020}}}}
}}
'''Nicholas Walker''' (born April 19, 1985) is an American author and [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) veteran who served in the US army and then time in prison for bank robbery.[{{cite news |last1=Lawrence |first1=Quil |title=An Iraq Veteran, Heroin Addict, Bank Robber And Debut Novelist |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/08/13/638218702/an-iraq-veteran-heroin-addict-bank-robber-and-debut-novelist |access-date=August 22, 2018 |publisher=NPR |date=August 13, 2018 |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031093750/https://www.npr.org/2018/08/13/638218702/an-iraq-veteran-heroin-addict-bank-robber-and-debut-novelist |url-status=live }}] His semi-autobiographical debut novel, ''[Cherry](/source/Cherry_(novel))'', was published by [Alfred A. Knopf](/source/Alfred_A._Knopf) on August 14, 2018.
==Career==
Nicholas Walker was born in the United States on April 19, 1985. From 2005 to 2006, Walker served in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) as a [combat medic](/source/combat_medic) in [Iraq](/source/Iraq) as part of [Operation Iraqi Freedom](/source/Iraq_War), going on more than 250 combat missions.[{{Cite web |title=Nico Walker, Author of "Cherry" {{!}} BZ Listening {{!}} Episode 74 |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/74-talking-with-nico-walker-author-of-cherry/id1435821509?i=1000547539639 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003070420/https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/74-talking-with-nico-walker-author-of-cherry/id1435821509?i=1000547539639 |url-status=live }}] After being discharged from the military and returning to civilian life, he developed [post-traumatic stress disorder](/source/post-traumatic_stress_disorder) and [major depressive disorder](/source/major_depressive_disorder) and became addicted to [heroin](/source/heroin) and [Oxycodone](/source/Oxycodone). Matthew Johnson, a publisher at [Tyrant Books](/source/Tyrant_Books), sent Walker books and encouraged him to write about his life while Walker was in prison. He spent nearly four years writing and rewriting.[{{cite news |last1=Alter |first1=Alexandra |title=How a Young War Veteran Became a Serial Bank Robber, Then a Novelist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/books/cherry-nico-walker.html |access-date=August 22, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101164822/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/books/cherry-nico-walker.html |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Charles |first1=Ron |title=Nico Walker is a convicted bank robber. 'Cherry' proves he's also a must-read author. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/nico-walker-is-a-convicted-bank-robber-cherry-proves-hes-also-a-must-read-author/2018/08/13/fcfff502-9b30-11e8-8d5e-c6c594024954_story.html?noredirect=on |access-date=August 22, 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 14, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727020707/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/nico-walker-is-a-convicted-bank-robber-cherry-proves-hes-also-a-must-read-author/2018/08/13/fcfff502-9b30-11e8-8d5e-c6c594024954_story.html?noredirect=on |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Lorentzen |first1=Christian |title=Nico Walker's Cherry Might Be the First Great Novel of the Opioid Epidemic |url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/07/cherry-might-be-the-first-great-opioid-epidemic-novel.html |access-date=August 22, 2018 |publisher=Vulture |date=July 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824034946/http://www.vulture.com/2018/07/cherry-might-be-the-first-great-opioid-epidemic-novel.html |url-status=live }}] The resulting novel, ''[Cherry](/source/Cherry_(novel))'', was published by [Alfred A. Knopf](/source/Alfred_A._Knopf) and is about "the horrors of war and addiction."[{{cite news |last1=Rathburn |first1=Daniel |title=Nico Walker's Cherry Got Near-Universal Praise |url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/nico-walker-cherry-review-roundup.html |access-date=August 23, 2018 |publisher=Vulture |date=August 22, 2018 |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822185700/http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/nico-walker-cherry-review-roundup.html |url-status=live }}] It debuted at number 14 on ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'' bestseller list.[{{cite news |title=First a Decorated War Vet, Then a Bank Robber, Now a Best-Selling Novelist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/books/review/best-seller-cherry-nico-walker.html |access-date=August 30, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830012832/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/books/review/best-seller-cherry-nico-walker.html |url-status=live }}] Walker has said that he is using money from sales of the book to pay back some of the banks he robbed.[{{Cite web|url=https://pen.org/2019finalists/|title=Announcing the 2019 PEN America Literary Awards Finalists|date=January 15, 2019|website=PEN America|access-date=February 23, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030134810/https://pen.org/2019finalists/|url-status=live}}] In Walker's acknowledgements in ''[Cherry](/source/Cherry_(novel))'', he also credits Josh Polikov, Tim O'Connell, Adeline Manson, Anna Kaufman, Daniel Novack, Susan M. S. Brown for helping him write, edit, revise, and publish his semi-autobiographical novel.[{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Nico |title=Cherry |pages=315–317}}]
Within days of the book's publication, the [movie rights](/source/Cherry_(2021_film)) were acquired for $1 million by [Joe and Anthony Russo](/source/Russo_brothers)'s studio AGBO, with the brothers planning to direct and produce, and the script to be written by [Jessica Goldberg](/source/Jessica_Goldberg) and starring [Tom Holland](/source/Tom_Holland) as the character based on Walker.[{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=AGBO Nearing $1M 'Cherry' Book Deal; 'Avengers: Infinity War's Russo Bros Eye Directing |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/cherry-nico-walker-bank-robber-author-avengers-infinity-wars-joe-and-anthony-russo-million-dollar-movie-deal-1202451767/ |access-date=August 30, 2018 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824071032/https://deadline.com/2018/08/cherry-nico-walker-bank-robber-author-avengers-infinity-wars-joe-and-anthony-russo-million-dollar-movie-deal-1202451767/ |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title=Russo Brothers Close Deal to Direct PTSD Drama 'Cherry' |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/russo-brothers-ptsd-movie-cherry-1202916432/ |access-date=August 30, 2018 |publisher=Variety |date=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002528/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/russo-brothers-ptsd-movie-cherry-1202916432/ |url-status=live }}] Walker was offered the opportunity to be an executive producer on the film, but he turned it down.[{{Cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=Tom Holland in the Wild and Woeful 'Cherry': Exclusive First Look|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/11/first-look-tom-holland-russo-brothers-cherry|access-date=2020-11-24|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=November 24, 2020 |language=en-us|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124175551/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/11/first-look-tom-holland-russo-brothers-cherry|url-status=live}}][{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike |title=Apple Makes Big Deal For Joe & Anthony Russo-Directed 'Cherry;' Tom Holland & Ciara Bravo Drama Becomes Oscar Season Entry |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/cherry-tom-holland-apple-joe-russo-anthony-russo-major-film-deal-nico-walker-novel-cherry-ciara-bravo-oscar-season-1234585213/ |access-date=12 October 2020 |publisher=Deadline |date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929171743/https://deadline.com/2020/09/cherry-tom-holland-apple-joe-russo-anthony-russo-major-film-deal-nico-walker-novel-cherry-ciara-bravo-oscar-season-1234585213/ |url-status=live }}]
== Incarceration ==
To fund his opiate habit, he robbed ten banks around [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland) in a span of four months, beginning in December 2010. He was arrested in April 2011, pleaded guilty in 2012 and was given an eleven-year sentence. His cellmate was Tony Viola, who was wrongfully accused of mortgage fraud at several banks and was sentenced to twelve and a half years in prison.[{{Cite web |title=Free Tony Viola! |url=https://www.freetonyviola.com/about |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427022358/https://www.freetonyviola.com/about |url-status=live }}] In 2013, while Walker was behind bars in the [Federal Correctional Institution](/source/Federal_Correctional_Institution%2C_Ashland) in [Ashland, Kentucky](/source/Ashland%2C_Kentucky), he was profiled in [BuzzFeed](/source/BuzzFeed). This led to a correspondence with Matthew Johnson, a publisher at the independent press [Tyrant Books](/source/Tyrant_Books). While incarcerated, Walker was also a GED tutor, teaching fellow inmates.[{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Nate |title=What Does Life Beyond 'Cherry" Look Like? |date=March 11, 2021 |url=https://www.theringer.com/2021/3/11/22321723/nico-walker-cherry-movie-author-russo-brothers-adaptation |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404203332/https://www.theringer.com/2021/3/11/22321723/nico-walker-cherry-movie-author-russo-brothers-adaptation |url-status=live }}]
==Personal life==
Walker grew up in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Cleveland. He dropped out of [John Carroll University](/source/John_Carroll_University) and enlisted in the Army at the age of 19.[{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Dillon |title=Three Things To Know About Nico Walker's Cherry Before Russo Bros. Start Shooting In Cleveland |url=https://clevelandmagazine.com/entertainment/books/articles/three-things-to-know-russo-bros.-to-shoot-nico-walker%27s-cherry |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327142652/https://clevelandmagazine.com/entertainment/books/articles/three-things-to-know-russo-bros.-to-shoot-nico-walker%27s-cherry |url-status=live }}] For his service in Iraq, Walker received seven medals and commendations. He was released from prison early, in October 2019.[{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Collin |title=Nico Walker: The veteran who wrote his debut novel from a jail cell |url=https://observer.case.edu/nico-walker-the-veteran-who-wrote-his-debut-novel-from-a-jail-cell/ |access-date=12 October 2020 |publisher=The Observer |date=16 July 2020 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012223459/https://observer.case.edu/nico-walker-the-veteran-who-wrote-his-debut-novel-from-a-jail-cell/ |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Heisig |first1=Eric |title=Imprisoned Cleveland-area author moved to halfway house while production commences for movie adaption directed by Russo brothers |url=https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2019/10/imprisoned-cleveland-area-author-moved-to-halfway-house-to-start-work-on-movie-adaptation-directed-by-russo-brothers.html |access-date=12 October 2020 |publisher=The Plain Dealer |date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927225111/https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2019/10/imprisoned-cleveland-area-author-moved-to-halfway-house-to-start-work-on-movie-adaptation-directed-by-russo-brothers.html |url-status=live }}] He lives in [Oxford, Mississippi](/source/Oxford%2C_Mississippi).[{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Kevin |title=From Bank Robber to Hollywood: Why Cherry Author Nico Walker Isn't Watching the Movie of His Life |url=https://www.gq.com/story/nico-walker-cherry-movie-tom-holland-interview |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=GQ |date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324083043/https://www.gq.com/story/nico-walker-cherry-movie-tom-holland-interview |url-status=live }}]
Walker and his first wife, Kara, eloped before he deployed in 2005, and divorced a few months after he returned in 2006.[{{cite news |last1=Lachenal |first1=Jessica |title=Emily In Cherry Seems To Share Some Similarities With A Real Person |url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/is-emily-in-cherry-based-on-a-real-person |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=Bustle |date=12 March 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603181856/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/is-emily-in-cherry-based-on-a-real-person |url-status=live }}] Around this time, he was the lead singer and songwriter in a psychedelic garage rock band named Safari, and they released the album ''Maybe Tomorrow'' in 2010.[{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Nate |title="Hopefully He Won't End Up Robbing Banks Again": The Wild Life of Nico Walker |url=https://www.theringer.com/2021/3/11/22321723/nico-walker-cherry-movie-author-russo-brothers-adaptation |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=The Ringer |date=11 March 2021 |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404203332/https://www.theringer.com/2021/3/11/22321723/nico-walker-cherry-movie-author-russo-brothers-adaptation |url-status=live }}] In August 2020, ''[Interview](/source/Interview_(magazine))'' reported Walker had married poet Rachel Rabbit White.[{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=Rachel Rabbit White, in Her Boudoir|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/rachel-rabbit-white-nico-walker-porn-carnival|access-date=2020-08-14|website=Interview Magazine|language=en-US|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819102355/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/rachel-rabbit-white-nico-walker-porn-carnival|url-status=live}}]
As of January 2022, Walker was working on his second novel, which will focus on [incarceration](/source/incarceration).