Joe David Brown was a journalist and author best known for his novel "Addie Pray," which was adapted into the acclaimed 1973 film "Paper Moon." His literary career also included the World War II novel "Kings Go Forth" and "Stars in My Crown," the latter based on his earlier short story "Grandpa and the Miracle Grindstone." Several of his works were adapted for film, with "Stars in My Crown" and "Kings Go Forth" reaching audiences in the 1950s.
Before becoming a novelist, Brown built a distinguished career in journalism, working for publications such as the Birmingham Post, the Dothan Eagle, and the New York Daily News. His wartime service as a paratrooper in the 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion during World War II earned him the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the French Croix de Guerre. Later, he served as a foreign correspondent for TIME magazine, reporting from India, France, and England. His writing often drew from his Southern roots and wartime experiences, blending humor, historical detail, and vivid characterization.
Brown's novel "Addie Pray" became his most enduring work, capturing the Depression-era South through the adventures of a con artist and his young accomplice. The film adaptation, starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, received critical acclaim, with Tatum winning an Academy Award for her performance. Brown continued writing until his death in 1976, leaving behind a legacy of storytelling that bridged journalism and fiction.