Dominick Dunne, born on October 29, 1925, in Hartford, Connecticut, was an accomplished American author, journalist, and Hollywood producer. He was the second of six children born to Richard and Dorothy Dunne. Dunne passed away in Manhattan, New York, on August 26, 2009, at the age of 83, after a battle with bladder cancer.
Before establishing himself as a renowned author, Dunne led a distinguished career in Hollywood. After studying at Williams College and serving in the Second World War, he moved to New York and later to Hollywood, where he directed the TV series Playhouse 90 and became vice president of Four Star Pictures. During this time, Dunne became well-known for his extravagant parties and developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs.
In 1979, Dunne decided to leave Hollywood and reinvent himself by becoming an author. This transformation was partly influenced by the tragic death of his daughter, actress Dominique Dunne, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1982. The killer served only two and a half years in prison, which prompted Dunne to write an article for Vanity Fair about the ordeal. This article marked the beginning of his journalistic career, focusing on high society's interactions with the judicial system.
Dunne's written works include five bestselling novels, two collections of essays, and the memoir "The Way We Lived Then." He was also a Special Correspondent for "Vanity Fair" and lived in New York City and Hadlyme, Connecticut. His final novel, "Too Much Money," was published posthumously in December 2009.