Harlan Ellison

Date of Birth: May 27, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: June 28, 2018

Biography

Harlan Jay Ellison was an American writer known for his prolific contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ellison demonstrated a passion for writing from an early age. Over his career, he penned more than 1,700 works, including short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, and critiques. Ellison’s work was highly influential, with several of his stories, such as “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” and “Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman,” becoming seminal pieces in speculative fiction. Ellison’s career was marked by a distinctive, often combative personality, and he was known for his outspoken views on copyright and creative integrity. His contributions to television included writing for shows like “The Outer Limits,” “Star Trek,” and “The Twilight Zone.” He won numerous awards, including multiple Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker Awards. Ellison also served as a consultant on several high-profile projects, always advocating for the writer’s vision.

5 Interesting Facts about Harlan Ellison

1. Harlan Ellison wrote the famous “Star Trek” episode “The City on the Edge of Forever,” which won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.

2. He was known for having a short temper and once mailed a dead gopher to a publisher who he felt had wronged him.

3. Ellison served as a creative consultant for the 1980s TV series “The Twilight Zone” and “Babylon 5.”

4. He sued and won a settlement from James Cameron over claims that “The Terminator” was inspired by his work.

5. Ellison’s short story “A Boy and His Dog” was adapted into a cult classic film in 1975.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harlan Ellison

1. “You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”

2. “The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.”

3. “I have no mouth. And I must scream.”

4. “The trick is not becoming a writer. The trick is staying a writer.”

5. “I go to bed angry, I get up angrier every morning, and I don’t feel like I’ve been alive unless at the end of the day I have made somebody angry.”