Thomas Thompson (American author)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Thompson, 1933-1982, joined Life magazine
in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life Magazine he covered the JFK assasination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of "Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" by the Beatles where he revealed extensive drug use by the "fab four" , an in depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged mob ties, and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor. His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley
at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie
. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj
. It was believed by his family that the liver disease that caused his demise, was contracted in the far east while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga.
Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award
winner for Blood and Money. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching bookm writing at the University of Southern California.
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life Magazine he covered the JFK assasination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of "Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" by the Beatles where he revealed extensive drug use by the "fab four" , an in depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged mob ties, and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor. His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley
Denton Cooley
Denton Arthur Cooley is an American heart surgeon famous for performing the first implantation of a total artificial heart. Cooley is also founder and surgeon in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute, chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at St...
at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie
The Death of Richie
The Death of Richie is a made-for-TV movie drama which premiered on the NBC television network on January 10, 1977. The film is unrated.The Death of Richie is based on "Richie", a true story written by Thomas Thompson about the 1972 death of George Richard "Richie" Diener, Jr...
. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj
Charles Sobhraj
Hatchand Bhaonani Gurumukh Charles Sobhraj , better known as Charles Sobhraj, is a serial killer of Indian and Vietnamese origin, who preyed on Western tourists throughout Southeast Asia during the 1970s. Nicknamed "the Serpent" and "the Bikini killer" for his skill at deception and evasion, he...
. It was believed by his family that the liver disease that caused his demise, was contracted in the far east while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga.
Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
winner for Blood and Money. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching bookm writing at the University of Southern California.