Was American History X based on a true story?

Answer 1

No, it is not based on a true story. Some people seem to think it is. If you Google "American History X true story" you will find more than a few people who claim it's a true story, either about a man named Frank Meeink, or some other racist skinhead.

But the person who wrote the screenplay, David McKenna, makes no mention of it being a true story (neither does the Wikipedia page nor the imdb page for the movie). See the first Related Link below for McKenna's account, in his own words, of how he came up with the idea for the story. He says he got the idea from the bigotry he saw when he was growing up. But he does NOT say that the characters and events were specifically based on anyone or anything real.

And Frank Meeink's official website (see second Related Link) says nothing about American History X being based on his life. Frank Meeink was indeed a former Nazi skinhead, but the movie American History X was not based on him.

So don't listen to the claims that, "it's based on Frank Meeink, and I know this because he came to speak at my school." Frank Meeink and American History X have nothing to do with each other. If Mr. Meeink did come to speak at these kids' schools, then clearly they paid very little attention to what he was saying, since he does NOT claim that American History X is based on his own life.

So, no, it is not based on a true story.