Angela Nissel

In her first book, The Broke Diaries, Nissel wrote irreverently about the obstacles she faced trying to finance her college education. The book was hailed by critics for its honesty and humor and earned Nissel an appearance on Oprah.

Nissel segued from book to television writing and soon wrote her way into a spot on Scrubs’ writing staff. She has been with the show since its second season and is currently the consulting producer.

During breaks in Scrubs filming, Nissel would sneak off to write a second memoir detailing her life as biracial child of the eighties. Mixed: My Life in Black and White was published in 2006 to enormous critical acclaim. Kirkus Reviews awarded Mixed a rare starred review, while Entertainment Weekly lauded the book for being “as poignant as it is painfully funny.” Her mother said the book was “good,” but suggested that Nissel switch from memoirs to fiction so she wouldn’t have to read about her life in Barnes & Noble.

Much to her mother’s dismay, Nissel’s memoirs are making their way to the small screen. Halle Berry and her manager Vincent Cirrincione optioned both Mixed and Broke. Nissel worked closely with Berry and Cirrincione to create a script based on both books. This script is currently in development at a major network.

In addition to her television and book successes, Nissel has published work in numerous magazines. Her articles, essays, and reviews have appeared in “O” The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, and Allureand she is a frequent commentator on NPR. She has appeared on numerous national television shows including Oprah/, The Today Show, and 20/20.

Nissel has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania.