Date of Birth: March 9, 1918
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: July 17, 2006
Biography
Frank Morrison Spillane, better known as Mickey Spillane, was an American author born on March 9, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. He is most famous for his hard-boiled detective novels featuring his iconic character, Mike Hammer. Spillane started his career writing for comic books and pulp magazines before publishing his first novel, “I, the Jury,” in 1947. The book was a massive success and quickly made Spillane a household name. Over his career, he penned numerous novels, short stories, and even some screenplays, many of which were adapted into movies and television series. Spillane’s writing was characterized by its gritty realism, fast-paced plots, and tough-talking characters. Despite being criticized for the violence and sexual content in his books, Spillane’s work was immensely popular, selling millions of copies worldwide. He was a recipient of the Edgar Allan Poe Grand Master Award in 1995, recognizing his significant contributions to the mystery genre. Mickey Spillane passed away on July 17, 2006, in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
5 Interesting Facts about Mickey Spillane
1. Mickey Spillane worked as a fighter pilot instructor for the Army Air Forces during World War II.
2. He created the character Mike Hammer in just 19 days while recovering from a broken leg.
3. Spillane had a brief stint as an actor, playing Mike Hammer in the 1963 film, “The Girl Hunters.”
4. His books have sold over 225 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling authors of the 20th century.
5. He was an avid fan of comic books and even wrote for the “Captain America” series early in his career.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mickey Spillane
1. “Those big-shot writers could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar.”
2. “Hemingway hated me. I sold 200 million books, and he didn’t. Of course, most of mine sold for 25 cents, but still…”
3. “The first chapter sells the book. The last chapter sells the next book.”
4. “I’m a commercial writer, not an ‘author.’ Margaret Mitchell was an author. She wrote one book.”
5. “I don’t have fans. You know what I got? Customers. And customers are your friends.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Mickey Spillane’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Mickey Spillane had four children: Caroline, Kathy, Linda, and Ward.
Relevant Links
1. [Mickey Spillane – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Spillane
2. [Mickey Spillane – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0818828/
3. [Mickey Spillane – Biography](https://www.biography.com/writer/mickey-spillane
4. [The Official Mickey Spillane Website](http://www.mickeyspillane.com/
