Elmore Leonard

Date of Birth: October 11, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: August 20, 2013

Biography

Elmore John Leonard Jr., often referred to as “Dutch,” was an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. Born on October 11, 1925, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Leonard grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where his father worked as a site locator for General Motors. He attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before earning a degree in English and philosophy from the University of Detroit. Leonard’s early works were Westerns, a popular genre during the 1950s. His first published novel, “The Bounty Hunters,” came out in 1953. However, he is best known for his crime fiction and thrillers, characterized by their gritty realism, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters. Novels like “Get Shorty,” “Out of Sight,” and “Rum Punch” (which was adapted into the film “Jackie Brown” by Quentin Tarantino) cemented his reputation as a master storyteller. Over his prolific career, Leonard wrote 45 novels, numerous short stories, and several screenplays. His works have been adapted into more than 20 films and TV series, making him a significant influence on contemporary crime fiction and Hollywood.

5 Interesting Facts about Elmore Leonard

1. Elmore Leonard’s novel “Hombre” was named one of the best 25 Western novels of all time by the Western Writers of America.

2. Leonard often wrote his novels in longhand on unlined yellow paper before typing them up.

3. He won the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1992.

4. Leonard’s “10 Rules of Writing” is a widely referenced guide for aspiring writers.

5. He worked as a copywriter for an advertising agency before becoming a full-time writer.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elmore Leonard

1. “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”

2. “I try to leave out the parts that readers tend to skip.”

3. “I always write my books in longhand. I write every day, in longhand.”

4. “Never open a book with weather.”

5. “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Elmore Leonard’s net worth was estimated to be around $8 million.

Children

Elmore Leonard had five children: Peter Leonard, Jane Leonard, Kate Leonard, Christopher Leonard, and Bill Leonard. Peter Leonard followed in his father’s footsteps and became a novelist.