Irving Wallace

American writer who, at one time, commanded an estimated worldwide readership of more than 600 million persons and may well have been one of the five most widely read contemporary authors. His enormous popularity was primarily based in his novels, many of which have been adapted into films. His work includes "The Chapman Report," 1960 "The Prize," 1962 and "The Fan Club," 1974. Along with his son, David Wallenchinsky, he also created reference books including "The People's Almanac," 1975, "The Book Of Lists," 1977 and "The People's Almanac II," 1978.

Irving had a long apprenticeship, prior to becoming a novelist, in journalism and film writing; however, he was mercilessly attacked by literary critics. From 1955 until his death he wrote 36 books that generated a total of $196 million dollars in sales.

In 1941 he was married to Sylvia Kahn, an editor and author. They had one son, David, and a daughter, Amy, who is a writer and psychic healer.

Wallace died of pancreatic cancer on 29 June 1990, Los Angeles, CA.