Walter Wager
Encyclopedia
Walter Herman Wager was an American
novelist.
, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants; his father, Max, was a doctor, and his mother, Jessie, was a nurse. A graduate of Columbia University
and Harvard Law School
, he received a master's degree in aviation law from Northwestern University
in 1949.
Die Hard 2
in 1990. Two of his other novels became major motion pictures in 1977: Viper Three (1972), which was released as Twilight's Last Gleaming
, and Telefon (1975). Wager wrote a number of original novels in the 1960s under the pseudonym
"John Tiger" that were based on the TV series I Spy and Mission: Impossible
.
Prior to making his reputation as a novelist, Wager was a Fulbright Fellow at the Sorbonne in Paris and diplomatic adviser to Israel's Director of Civil Aviation. He was also a writer and producer for CBS Radio
, CBS
television, and NBC
television and was editor-in-chief of Playbill
from 1963 to 1966. In addition, Wager worked in public relations for ASCAP, the University of Bridgeport
, and the Juilliard School
.
Sylvia Leonard Wager: married May 6, 1952 - May __, 1975 (divorced; one child)
IMDB Biography
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
novelist.
Early life
Walter Wager grew up in the East Tremont section of The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants; his father, Max, was a doctor, and his mother, Jessie, was a nurse. A graduate of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
and Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
, he received a master's degree in aviation law from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in 1949.
Career
Wager was best known as an author of mystery and spy fiction; his works included 58 Minutes (1987), whose story was used as the basis of the action filmAction film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2 is a 1990 action film and the second in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by Renny Harlin, and stars Bruce Willis as John McClane...
in 1990. Two of his other novels became major motion pictures in 1977: Viper Three (1972), which was released as Twilight's Last Gleaming
Twilight's Last Gleaming
Twilight's Last Gleaming is a 1977 film directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Burt Lancaster and Richard Widmark.Loosely based on a 1971 novel, Viper Three by Walter Wager, it tells the story of Lawrence Dell, a renegade USAF general, who escapes from a military prison and takes over an ICBM silo...
, and Telefon (1975). Wager wrote a number of original novels in the 1960s under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"John Tiger" that were based on the TV series I Spy and Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is an American television series which was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicled the missions of a team of secret American government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force . The leader of the team was Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, except in...
.
Prior to making his reputation as a novelist, Wager was a Fulbright Fellow at the Sorbonne in Paris and diplomatic adviser to Israel's Director of Civil Aviation. He was also a writer and producer for CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television, and NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television and was editor-in-chief of Playbill
Playbill
Playbill is a monthly U.S. magazine for theatregoers. Although there is a subscription issue available for home delivery, most Playbills are printed for particular shows to be distributed at the door...
from 1963 to 1966. In addition, Wager worked in public relations for ASCAP, the University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
, and the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
.
Spouses
Winifred McIvor Wager: married June 4, 1975 - July 11, 2004 (his death)Sylvia Leonard Wager: married May 6, 1952 - May __, 1975 (divorced; one child)
External links
fantasticfiction.co.uk Biography & Book dust jacket imagesIMDB Biography