Robert Harling, who was born and raised in Louisiana, was graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, and obtained a J.D. degree from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans.
However, Harling never used his legal education: skipping the bar exam, he moved to New York City to become an actor, auditioning for bit parts in plays and television commercials, and working as a ticket seller for Broadway shows.
After the death of his younger sister, Susan, in 1985 due to diabetes, Harling wrote a short story and adapted it into Steel Magnolias, which was produced off-Broadway in 1987.
Harling also wrote the screenplay for the film version produced in 1989, with an all-star cast. He played a small role in the film as a minister. Harling later wrote and directed the sequel to Terms of Endearment titled The Evening Star (1996).