John Gregory Dunne

Date of Birth: May 25, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: December 30, 2003

Biography

John Gregory Dunne was a renowned American novelist, screenwriter, and literary critic, known for his incisive social commentary and compelling storytelling. Born into a prominent family in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of Dorothy Frances Burns and Richard Edwin Dunne. He attended Princeton University, where he graduated in 1954. Dunne began his career in journalism, writing for Time magazine and later transitioning into novels and screenwriting. He often collaborated with his wife, Joan Didion, on screenplays including “A Star Is Born” and “True Confessions.” Dunne’s works often explored themes of American life, culture, and politics, and he was known for his meticulous research and insightful observations. His notable works include the novels “True Confessions,” “Dutch Shea, Jr.,” and “Playland,” as well as non-fiction books like “The Studio” and “Harp.” Dunne passed away from a heart attack on December 30, 2003, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to American literature and film.

5 Interesting Facts about John Gregory Dunne

1. John Gregory Dunne’s brother, Dominick Dunne, was also a well-known writer and journalist.

2. He co-wrote several screenplays with his wife, Joan Didion, marking one of Hollywood’s most successful literary partnerships.

3. Dunne’s book “The Studio” offers a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, focusing on Twentieth Century Fox during the production of “Dr. Dolittle.”

4. He was a frequent contributor to major publications like The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books.

5. Dunne’s novel “True Confessions” was adapted into a film starring Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall in 1981.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Gregory Dunne

1. “Writing is manual labor of the mind: a job, like laying pipe.”

2. “Nothing is more interesting to people than people.”

3. “A writer is always selling somebody out.”

4. “The past always looks better than it was. It’s only pleasant because it isn’t here.”

5. “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by John Gregory Dunne was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion adopted a daughter, Quintana Roo Dunne, who was born in 1966. Quintana was a central figure in Didion’s memoirs “The Year of Magical Thinking” and “Blue Nights,” which chronicle her life and untimely death in 2005.