Truman Capote
Truman Garcia Capote (September 30, 1924 - August 25, 1984) was an American writer best known for his "nonfiction novel" (journalism with a literary voice) In Cold Blood and the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's, both of which were adapted into movies. He wrote a childhood memoir called A Christmas Memory that he adapted for television and narrated.
Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons in New Orleans. He was a childhood friend of Harper Lee and was the inspiration for the character of Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird.
He appeared as Lionel Twain in the film comedy Murder by Death. A short story published in Esquire in the 1970s alienated many of his celebrity acquaintances, who saw thinly disguised versions of themselves.
Part of his public persona was a long-standing rivalry with Gore Vidal.
He was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California.
Works
- Other Voices, Other Rooms (novel, 1948)
- A Tree of Night and other stories (1949)
- The Grass Harp (play, 1951)
- House of Flowers (musical, 1954) (with Harold Arlen)
- The Muses Are Heard (novel, 1956)
- Breakfast at Tiffany's (novel, 1958)
- In Cold Blood (novel, 1966)
- A Christmas Memory (memoir, 1966)
- Music for Chameleons (short stories, 1980)
- Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel (1986)