Date of Birth: August 27, 1929
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: November 12, 2007
Biography
Ira Levin was an American novelist, playwright, and songwriter, renowned for his works in the thriller genre. Born in New York City, Levin grew up in Manhattan and attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, before transferring to New York University, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy and English. His career took off with the publication of his first novel, “A Kiss Before Dying,” which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Levin’s most famous works include “Rosemary’s Baby,” a chilling horror story about a young woman who becomes pregnant under sinister circumstances, and “The Stepford Wives,” a satirical thriller that explores the eerie transformation of suburban housewives. Both novels were adapted into successful films, cementing Levin’s reputation as a master of suspense and horror. In addition to his novels, Levin also wrote several successful plays, including “Deathtrap,” which holds the record as the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway. Throughout his career, Levin’s works were praised for their gripping plots, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to tap into contemporary societal fears.
5 Interesting Facts about Ira Levin
1. Ira Levin’s first novel, “A Kiss Before Dying,” was published when he was only 24 years old.
2. “Rosemary’s Baby” was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Roman Polanski in 1968.
3. Levin served in the Army Signal Corps from 1953 to 1955, where he wrote and produced training films.
4. His play “Deathtrap” was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play in 1978.
5. Levin was awarded the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 2003.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ira Levin
1. “If something goes wrong, the only thing that might help is to think quickly, and act decisively.”
2. “No one who ever had lessons would have a swing like mine.”
3. “The pleasure of writing is the exploration of one’s own thoughts and feelings.”
4. “Everybody has an idea that can be turned into a book or a film.”
5. “I try to tell the truth in my fiction.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Ira Levin’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Ira Levin had three children: Adam, Jared, and Nicholas Levin.
Relevant Links
1. [Ira Levin – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Levin
2. [Ira Levin – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0505582/
3. [Ira Levin Biography – Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ira-Levin
4. [Ira Levin – Mystery Writers of America](https://mysterywriters.org/user/iralevin/
5. [Ira Levin’s Works – Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20821.Ira_Levin
