Date of Birth: November 20, 1936
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: [Leave blank if alive]
Biography
Don DeLillo is an acclaimed American novelist, playwright, and essayist known for his postmodern and often darkly humorous exploration of contemporary American culture. Born on November 20, 1936, in the Bronx, New York, DeLillo grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood, which would later influence his work’s themes and characters. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School and later enrolled at Fordham University, where he graduated with a degree in Communication Arts in 1958. DeLillo’s early career was spent working as an advertising copywriter before he published his first novel, “Americana,” in 1971. He gained significant recognition in the 1980s with novels like “White Noise” (1985), which won the National Book Award, and “Libra” (1988), a fictionalized account of Lee Harvey Oswald and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. DeLillo’s other notable works include “Mao II” (1991), which won the PEN/Faulkner Award, and “Underworld” (1997), considered by many as his magnum opus. Throughout his career, DeLillo has been lauded for his incisive commentary on media saturation, consumerism, and the disintegration of societal norms. His writing style is characterized by its dense, fragmented prose and deep philosophical undertones. DeLillo’s influence extends beyond literature into film and academia, where his works are frequently studied for their intricate narrative structures and cultural critiques.
5 Interesting Facts about Don DeLillo
1. DeLillo’s novel “White Noise” is often considered a quintessential postmodern text and has been included in numerous academic syllabi.
2. He worked as an advertising copywriter for several years before dedicating himself full-time to writing.
3. DeLillo’s work often explores themes of terrorism, technology, and the media’s impact on society.
4. “Underworld,” his sprawling epic, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1998.
5. DeLillo was awarded the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction in 2013, recognizing his lifetime achievement in literature.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Don DeLillo
1. “The future belongs to crowds.”
2. “Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we see in the making all around us.”
3. “I think fiction rescues history from its confusions.”
4. “The world is full of abandoned meanings. In the commonplace, I find unexpected themes and intensities.”
5. “You have to break through the structure of your own stonework habit just to make yourself listen.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Don DeLillo’s highest estimated net worth is around $10 million.
Children
Don DeLillo and his wife, Barbara Bennett, do not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Don DeLillo – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_DeLillo
2. [Biography – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Don-DeLillo
3. [National Book Foundation – Don DeLillo](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/don-delillo/
5. [Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction](https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-13-093/
