Richard Thomas Condon (March 18, 1915 in New York City, New York – April 9, 1996 in Dallas, Texas) was a prolific and popular American political novelist whose satiric works were generally presented in the form of thrillers or semi-thrillers. More than being particularly clever genre works, however, all 26 books were written in a style nearly always instantly recognizable as Condon's, while their focus was almost always obsessively directed at monetary greed and political corruption. Fast-moving and easily accessible, they generally combined elements of political satire, bare-knuckled outrage at the greed and corruption of those in power, and were written with extravagant characterizations and a uniquely sparkling and frequently humorous style. Condon himself once said: "Every book I've ever written has been about abuse of power. I feel very strongly about that. I'd like people to know how deeply their politicians wrong them." Condon occasionally achieved bestseller status, and many of his books were made into films, but today he is primarily remembered for two of his works: an early book, The Manchurian Candidate of 1959, and, many years later, for four novels about a family of New York gangsters named Prizzi.Condon's writing was known for its complex plotting, fascination with trivia, and loathing for those in power; at least two of his books featured thinly disguised versions of Richard Nixon. His characters tend to be driven by obsession, usually sexual or political, and by family loyalty. His plots often have elements of classical tragedy, with protagonists whose pride leads them to a place to destroy what they love. Some of his books, most notably Mile High (1969), are perhaps best described as secret history. And Then We Moved to Rossenara is a humorous autobiographical recounting of various places in the world where he had lived and his family's 1970s move to Rossenarra, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
March 18, 1915, New York City, New York, United States
Died
April 9, 1996, Dallas, Texas, United States
Place Of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
Height
6' (1.83 m)
Profession
Writer, Miscellaneous Crew, Actor
Spouse
Evelyn Hunt (m. 1938–1996)
Siblings
Robert Condon
Movies
The Manchurian Candidate, Prizzi's Honor, Winter Kills, The Happy Thieves, A Talent for Loving
Star Sign
Pisces
#
Fact
1
Was friends with John Huston, the director of Prizzi's Honor.
2
Graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in New York. Poor grades prevented him from going to college. His first jobs were as elevator operator, hotel clerk and waiter.
3
Did not begin writing novels until the age of 42.
4
Brother of Robert Condon, writer (ghostwriter of autobiography of Archie Moore), who was one of the guests present in the home of actor George Reeves on the night of Reeves' mysterious death.
5
Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 122-123. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
6
In the 1950s, the Condon family lived in England, Spain, and France. During the 1960s, they lived in Geneva, Switzerland, and in 1971, they bought a house in Kilkenny, Ireland. In 1980, he moved to Dallas, Texas, to be near his daughter, and there wrote "Prizzi's Honor."
Invented "Condon's Law," which says that "When you don't know the whole truth, the worst you can imagine is bound to be close."
9
Condon's 1958 novel, "The Oldest Confession", about an art thief, was inspired by paintings he saw during the filming of The Pride and the Passion (1957), at El Escorial outside Madrid. In the vestry, the film lighting showed paintings by Goya, Velasquez, and El Greco high on the wall, which otherwise were not visible. His novel was adapted into the film The Happy Thieves (1961), starring Rex Harrison and Rita Hayworth.
Early in his career, worked as a copywriter for an advertising agency, which led him into 22 years as a movie publicist, beginning with the position of Eastern Publicity Director for Walt Disney Productions.
12
Claimed he became a writer because he stuttered, which led him to learn a large vocabulary and to love words.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Manchurian Candidate
2004
novel
Prizzi's Honor
1985
novel / screenplay
Winter Kills
1979
book
A Talent for Loving
1969
novel "A Talent For Loving"
The Manchurian Candidate
1962
based upon a novel by
The Happy Thieves
1961
novel "The Oldest Confession"
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Pride and the Passion
1957
publicist - uncredited
The King and Four Queens
1956
publicist - uncredited
The Joe Louis Story
1953
publicist - uncredited
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Flying Leathernecks
1951
1st Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Morning
1986
TV Series
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1986
BAFTA Film Award
BAFTA Awards
Best Screenplay - Adapted
Prizzi's Honor (1985)
1986
WGA Award (Screen)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
Prizzi's Honor (1985)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1986
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
Prizzi's Honor (1985)
1986
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Prizzi's Honor (1985)
1986
David
David di Donatello Awards
Best Foreign Screenplay (Migliore Sceneggiatura Straniera)
$1.4 Million
