Karen Heller

Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.

National general features writer for Style

Education: University of Chicago, BA in history

Karen Heller is national features writer for The Washington Post, reporting on a wide array of subjects, including popular culture, politics and cultural differences. She previously worked as both a metro and features columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and was a 2001 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in commentary.
Latest from Karen Heller

    How Biden’s political identity centers on Scranton

    Scranton, Pa., where President Biden initially grew up, is central to his political origin story.

    April 16, 2024

    Lily Gladstone’s moment is here. It’s a lot to carry.

    At 37, Lily Gladstone has made history. Now, the 2024 Oscar nominee for “Killers of the Flower Moon” is texting with Emma Stone and reflecting on what it means.

    February 21, 2024

    Fun is dead.

    Fun has become work, an afterthought, a performance. Fun is now planned, performed, learned. There are books on fun. Coaches for fun. Which means fun is done.

    December 23, 2023

    The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb has written more hit songs than almost anyone

    Kennedy Center honoree Barry Gibb has written an estimated 1,000-plus songs. “If we enjoyed something, we wrote it,” he says.

    November 27, 2023
    “My dream was to get people I admire to sing our songs,” Barry Gibb said. He didn’t have to ask twice. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

    ‘Aging is a disease’: Inside the drive to postpone death indefinitely

    Longevity has become an industry, a subject of bestsellers, podcasts and newsletters. But is a life meted out in metrics, often for a price, worth it?

    November 6, 2023

    Henry Winkler is working through some things

    The actor discusses his memoir, “Being Henry: The Fonz … and Beyond,” an excavation of his challenges, pain and neuroses.

    October 29, 2023

    Danny DeVito is down for whatever

    Beloved Hollywood icon Danny DeVito, 78, has had a remarkable career — from “Taxi” to “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” — delving into the despicable.

    October 6, 2023
    “He will steal every scene. He has a wonderful freedom as an actor,” Michael Douglas said of DeVito.

    The mug shot seen round the world: Donald Trump’s forever photo

    Trump, 77, is known for mugging for the camera. Now, he has a mug shot, the first former president to be the subject of one.

    August 25, 2023
    Former president Donald Trump's mug shot taken at the Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening.

    Nanny in charge: Fran Drescher’s union presidency is the role of her lifetime

    SAG-AFTRA president and beloved "Nanny" star Fran Drescher discusses the actors strike, anti-capitalism and Hollywood's future.

    July 19, 2023
    SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher arrives at the Netflix picket line in Los Angeles on July 14.

    Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s charged mission of healing

    Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is the first Native person to oversee a department once charged with removing Indigenous people from their land.

    July 17, 2023