Jerzy Kosinski

Date of Birth: June 14, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 3, 1991

Biography

Jerzy Kosiński was a Polish-American novelist known for his intensely provocative and controversial works. Born in Łódź, Poland, Kosiński survived World War II by adopting a false identity and hiding from the Nazis, which would later influence much of his writing. After the war, he studied in Poland, earning degrees in history and political science. In 1957, he emigrated to the United States, where he initially worked menial jobs while studying at Columbia University. Kosiński’s first novel, “The Painted Bird” (1965), is a harrowing tale of a young boy wandering through a war-torn Eastern Europe, which many readers initially believed to be autobiographical. This was followed by “Steps” (1968), which won the National Book Award. His most commercially successful work, “Being There” (1970), was adapted into a film starring Peter Sellers and earned Kosiński critical acclaim for its satire of media and politics. Kosiński was a multifaceted individual, involving himself in various artistic and academic pursuits. However, his career was not without controversy. Accusations of plagiarism and ghostwriting marred his later years, although many of these claims have been disputed. Kosiński’s life came to a tragic end when he committed suicide in 1991, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to provoke discussion and analysis.

5 Interesting Facts about Jerzy Kosinski

1. Kosiński won the National Book Award for “Steps” in 1969.

2. His novel “Being There” was adapted into a film that earned Peter Sellers an Academy Award nomination.

3. Kosiński was president of the American Chapter of PEN, an organization that defends freedom of expression.

4. He appeared in Warren Beatty’s film “Reds” as the Bolshevik leader, Grigory Zinoviev.

5. He was accused of plagiarism and using ghostwriters, controversies that have sparked extensive debate.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jerzy Kosinski

1. “The principle of true art is not to portray, but to evoke.”

2. “In my photographs and writings I try to show that we live in a world full of warfare, where the most important battle is the war within ourselves.”

3. “I am an American writer, writing about my experiences in the United States, in an American context, for an American audience.”

4. “I am not an autobiographical writer—though I use personal material to enrich my fiction.”

5. “Freedom is a dangerous intoxicant and very few people can endure it.”