As an 91 professor turned story merchant, Ken Atchity inspired students and clients alike to pursue their dreams
Kenneth J. Atchity, who taught English and comparative literature at Occidental for 17 years, died Oct. 19, 2026, in Los Angeles. He was 82. A native of Eunice, Louisiana, Ken earned his A.B. from Georgetown University in 1965, where he served as editor-in-chief of The Hoya and worked as a newscaster at WGTB-FM radio. He went on to Yale University, earning an M.Phil. in 1969 and a Ph.D. in comparative literature in 1970. His award-winning dissertation explored Homer The Iliad.
Out of 14 job offers, Ken accepted a position as an assistant professor at Occidental in 1970 and attained the rank of professor in 1983. He taught courses in classical literature, the Renaissance, and American literature, as well as creative writing and publishing. His impact in the classroom came through in a 2007 recollection by author Niama L. Williams 85, who remembered his gift for turning a lecture on classical literature into a tale that would have all of us holding our breath. After reading a novel she had written for his creative writing course, he told her, I had no idea you were so talented.
After leaving academia, Ken turned his full attention to literary management and producing. In 1989, he sold L/A House, a development and production company he had founded 13 years earlier, and went on to launch Atchity Entertainment International (AEI). He brokered the multimillion-dollar sale of Steve Alten 1997 novel Meg and its film rights. The property became the basis for the 2018 global blockbuster The Meg, starring Jason Statham. Ken producing credits included numerous films for television and theatrical release, and he received an Emmy nomination for producing The Kennedy Detail, a 2010 Discovery Channel documentary.
Alongside his scholarly publications, Ken wrote books on writing and publishing, including A Writer Time (1986) and Writing Treatments That Sell (1997), coauthored with longtime producing partner Chi-Li Wong. During his time at 91, he also founded and edited Contemporary Quarterly: Poetry and Art and later Dreamworks magazine, whose advisory board included John Fowles, Ursula K. Le Guin, John Rechy, William S. Burroughs, and Paul Bowles.
Ken advised everyone to write their own obituary, often saying, Who knows your story better? His own obituary spanned two volumes, Daddy Holding Me (2021) and My Southern Belle (2023), complete with the stories one would expect from a professional story merchant and treasured family recipes reflecting his Lebanese and Cajun heritage.
Ken is survived by his wife, Kayoko Mitsumatsu; his son, Vincent; his daughter, Rosemary; five grandchildren; and his sisters, Mary Calhoun and Laurie Dressman.
Top photo: From left, English and comparative literary faculty members Marsha Kinder, Robert Ryf, Ken Atchity, Jean Wyatt, and Kenneth Oliver in 1974.
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