About
An American novelist and playwright, he wrote the 1968 novel The Gospel Singer and also published columns and essays in Esquire magazine. His other literary works include The Mulching of America, A Feast of Snakes, and The Gypsy's Curse.
Before Fame
He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.
Trivia
He had a tattoo on his arm that featured a line from an E.E. Cummings poem.
Family Life
He grew up in Georgia and briefly attended the University of Florida. With his wife, Sally, he had a son named Patrick.
Associated With
He had a brief role in The Indian Runner, a film directed by Sean Penn.
