Neal Cassady

Novelist

Birthday February 8, 1926

Birth Sign Aquarius

Birthplace Salt Lake City, UT

DEATH DATE Feb 4, 1968 (41)

#161,178 Most Popular

About

A colorful American figure of the Beat Generation, he served as the model for the character of Dean Moriarty in Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel, On The Road. Cassady's own published works include Pull My Daisy (a poem) and The First Third (a novel).

Before Fame

He lived on the streets with his alcoholic father and also spent time in reform school and prison.

Trivia

He roomed for a time with author Ken Kesey and with members of The Grateful Dead.

Family Life

He fathered four children, had an ongoing affair with Allen Ginsberg, and was married to two women simultaneously.

Associated With

He is immortalized in Jack & Neal, a 1977 song by musician Tom Waits that describes a cross-country road trip with Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady.