Elmore Leonard, who’s novels inspired 26 movies, died in Detroit today at 87 from complications from a stroke at 7:15 this morning. His Facebook page says “at home surrounded by his loving family.” The films Hombre, Out Of Sight, 3:10 To Yuma, Get Shorty,Jackie Brown and the FX series Justified are all based on his work. His researcher Gregg Sutter said he was “very much into his 46th novel” when he was hospitalized in August.
Elmore Leonard was born in New Orleans on October 11, 1925 and raised in Detroit. Leonard cited the duel headlines of the exploits of Bonnie and Clyde and the Detroit Tigers riding their way to the World Series 1934 and 1935 for igniting his passion for sports and guns. Leonard went into Navy where he was stationed in the South Pacific and got the nickname “Dutch” after a pitcher. Leonard studied writing at the University of Detroit, earning a degree in English and philosophy while submitting poems and short stories to magazines. He continued writing while he wrote copy for the Campbell-Ewald Advertising Agency.
In 1951 Argosy published Leonard’s short story "Trail of the Apaches." He wrote his first novel, The Bounty Hunters in 1953. The Tall T and 3:10 to Yuma, two classic fifties westerns were based on Leonard stories. Leonard continued writing pulp Westerns and expanded into mystery and crime genres and screenplays.
Besides the nickname Dutch, Elmore Leonard was also called "the Dickens of Detroit" and other writers gushed over his gift for realistic dialogue. Stephen King called him "the great American writer." Leonard said he was most influenced by Ernest Hemingway but wished Hemingway had more of a sense of humor.
SOURCE: DEADLINE
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