Carl Hiaasen, an American novelist and journalist, is the creative force behind the Apple TV series Bad Monkey, starring Vince Vaughn, Ronald Peet, and more. The show, based on his 2013 novel of the same name, is scheduled to release on September 14, 2024. Best known for his humorous and satirical crime novels, his career began at The Miami Herald.
As his book prepares to appear on screen, fans are eager to see how Carl’s unique storytelling translates to television. Yet behind the pages and beyond the screen, the author’s personal life has been as colorful as his novels.
Married three times and a father of two, his family life is full of ups and downs. Well, let’s learn in detail about all three of his wives and kids.
Connie Lyford (m. 1970–1996)
Carl’s first marriage was to Connie Lyford, his high school girlfriend. Born in 1952 to James and Constance Lyford, Connie hails from Plantation, Florida. The couple married in 1970 after their graduation and welcomed their son, Scott Hiaasen, in 1971. Initially a surgical nurse, she later transitioned to an attorney in Fort Lauderdale.
Their marriage spanned 26 years before ending in 1996. Reflecting on the separation, Carl remarked, “We just grew into different people.”
In a 2006 interview with The Gainesville Sun, he elaborated on the divorce. He described it as the hardest part of his life, explaining,
You get married at a very early age, you’re both kids, teenagers, and just grow up differently. I think that was brutally hard on both of us, but I think it was absolutely the right thing to do.
During this challenging period, the author found refuge in his craft. Writing became his coping mechanism, which he described as “the anchor or the lifesaver you hang on to.”
Today, Connie continues to reside in Plantation, Florida.
Fenia Clizer (m. 1999–2019)
After his divorce, Hiaasen moved to the Florida Keys, where he encountered his second wife Fenia Clizer under unique circumstances. In the evenings, he would often visit a local restaurant for a quiet meal and some reading. Fenia, the restaurant manager, took notice of this behavior, which stood out in an area where “drinking and partying are the main recreations,” as Hiaasen later recalled.
Fenia, born to Dr. Edwin Eugene Clizer and Argyro Lula Clizer, grew closer to Hiaasen and they married in 1999. Through this union, he became a stepfather to Fenia’s son Ryan, and the couple welcomed their son, Quinn Hiaasen, a year later in 2000.
In an interview, he reflected on remarrying:
It would’ve been easy not to get married again and have a very nice life. And write at home and fish when I wanted to, but you insulate yourself so much from what’s happening.
He added that having kids at home kept him connected to modern culture, which he felt was essential for a novelist.
In 2012, the pair bought a home in Islamorada, Florida from George Burl. The property’s value had increased significantly since 1996, leading Carl to list it for sale in 2016 at $3.4 million.
The former duo’s marriage lasted 20 years, ending in 2019.
Currently, Fenia works in real estate, specializing in premier mountain properties in Montana’s picturesque landscapes.
Kaitlyn Fox (m. 2020)
Carl married his third spouse Kaitlyn Fox in 2020, a year after his divorce. Born in May 1989, Katie is 36 years younger than the former journalist.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she is not currently working, but she has had an impressive career in healthcare information technology. Her most recent role was as Supervisor – IS Application and Epic Security at Lee Health from May 2022 to March 2023. She has also held positions at HCTec, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and Penn Medicine.
Katie’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland College Park (2008-2011) and Pre-Law Studies at Syracuse University (2007-2008).
Currently, they share a home in Vero Beach, Florida.
His Eldest Son Scott Hiaasen Is Following In His Footsteps
Scott, Hiaasen’s son from his first marriage, has followed a career path that blends journalism and law, echoing his father’s interests in a way that seems almost hereditary.
In a 1995 interview with The Chicago Tribune, his father expressed concern about his career choice. Hiaasen said,
He’s a police reporter for the Palm Beach Post. But the business has changed so. I went into it with the belief that newspapers were meant to kick butt. There is not the sense of that now. Newspapers are in the business of pleasing shareholders.
Despite these early concerns, Scott pursued journalism, working as an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald from 2004 to 2013. In 2013, he shifted gears towards law, obtaining a degree from Florida International University. Following graduation, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams.
Since May 2015, he has been an associate at Coffey Burlington, a law firm in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.
On the personal front, he is married to Jenny Staletovich, who also works in journalism. The couple has expanded their family with three children: Jack, Claire, and Webb Hiaasen.
Youngest Is Into Photography
Quinn Hiaasen, Carl’s younger son from his second marriage, was born in 2000. Based in Bozeman, Montana, he has developed a passion for photography, working as a Photographer/Writer/Editor for Portfolio Magazine since April 2019.
As for his academic background, he studied Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He’s also the tech support and co-founder of the local non-profit organization, Lines in the Lagoon.
In addition to his professional pursuits, he was a skilled tennis player in his youth. His father once described him as “a crackerjack tennis player who plays ‘up’ an age division in the hypercompetitive Florida youth tennis scene.” His talent was further honed under the guidance of serving coach Roscoe Tanner.
Despite Quinn’s prowess on the court, Carl expressed some ambivalence about his involvement in the sport. Noticing the young boy’s tension during matches, he reflected, “I just want him to be happy.“
