J.G. Ballard was born on November 15, 1930 in Shanghai, China as James Graham Ballard. He was a writer and actor, known for Empire of the Sun (1987), Crash (1996) and When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970). He was married to Helen Mary Matthews. He died on April 19, 2009 in London, England.
November 15, 1930, Shanghai International Settlement
Died
April 19, 2009, London, United Kingdom
Place Of Birth
Shanghai, China
Profession
Writer, Actor
Movies
Crash, Empire of the Sun, High-Rise, Low Flying Aircraft, Crystal World, Home
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Quote
1
I believe in the power of the imagination to remake the world, to release the truth within us, to hold back the night, to transcend death, to charm motorways, to ingratiate ourselves with birds, to enlist the confidences of madmen.
2
In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom.
3
The future is going to be boring. The suburbanisation of the planet will continue, and the suburbanisation of the soul will follow soon after.
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Fact
1
His novel "Empire of the Sun" (1984), which was turned in to a film of the same name in 1987, was semi-autobiographical. He was interned in a Japanese prison camp near Shanghai during World War II, although he was not separated from his parents as depicted in the book and film.
Was revealed that he declined a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honor for "services to literature" in 2003. He told The Sunday Times, "Thousands of medals are given out in the name of a non-existent empire. It makes us look a laughing stock and encourages deference to the crown. I think it is exploited by politicians and always has been." [December 2003]
4
His novel "Crash" (1973) was rejected by a publishing house reader who wrote, "This author is beyond psychiatric help. Do Not Publish!"
5
Studied medicine at Cambridge but never practiced; studied English for a year at London University; joined the Royal Air Force.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
High-Rise
2015
novel "High Rise"
Ceiling Unlimited
2012
Short short story
Home
2003
TV Movie short story
Aparelho Voador a Baixa Altitude
2002
story
The Atrocity Exhibition
2000
novel "The Atrocity Exhibition"
Crash
1996
novel "Crash"
Ten Monologues from the Lives of the Serial Killers
1994
writings
Minus One
1991
Short story
Empire of the Sun
1987
novel "Empire of the Sun"
Resan till Orion
1986
Short story
Billenium
1974
TV Movie novel
Crash!
1971
Short
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth
1970
treatment by - as J.B. Ballard
Jackanory
1966
TV Series story - 1 episode
Out of the Unknown
1965
TV Series story - 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Empire of the Sun
1987
Guest at Masquerade Party (uncredited)
Crash!
1971
Short
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 100 Greatest War Films
2005
TV Movie documentary
Himself
London Orbital
2002
Documentary
Himself
J.G. Ballard: The Future Is Now
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Tourist
1996
TV Series documentary
Himself
Drug-Taking and the Arts
1993
Documentary
Himself (author)
Brave New Worlds: The Science Fiction Phenomenon
1993
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Moving Pictures: J G Ballard
1990
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The China Odyssey: 'Empire of the Sun', a Film by Steven Spielberg
$700,000
