The
best-selling writer set new standard for technically accurate military
novels like 'Red Storm Rising and 2012's 'Threat Vector.' Comments (40)
Diana Walker
Author Tom Clancy in 1985, a year after he published his first book,
'The Hunt for Red October.' Clancy's publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons,
confirmed that Clancy had died on Tuesday in Baltimore.
Megapopular author Tom Clancy, the ex-insurance salesman who wrote 17 rollicking No. 1 best sellers of international intrigue and espionage, died Tuesday.
The 66-year-old Clancy passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital in his hometown of Baltimore, according to his publisher, Penguin Group. He died after a brief illness, the Baltimore Sun reported.
His surprising death comes two months before the scheduled publication of his next novel, “Command Authority” — likely the latest in Clancy’s run of blockbuster books.
Clancy’s most popular creation was Jack Ryan, the fictional CIA analyst
who eventually landed in the White House. The character was played by
Hollywood stars Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Ben Affleck in screen
adaptations.
PHOTOS: IN MEMORIAM: STARS WE'VE LOST IN 2013
Movies based on Clancy books grossed nearly $800 million, and he sold more than 100 million books in his career. The movie “Jack Ryan,” starring Chris Pine, opens on Christmas Day.
“He was a consummate author, creating the modern-day thriller, and was
one of the most visionary storytellers of our time,” said Penguin Group
executive David Shanks.
“I will miss him dearly and he will be missed by tens of millions of readers worldwide.”
Clancy sold his first book, “The Hunt for Red October,” to the Naval
Institute Press for just $5,000. An unexpected rave review — “the
perfect yarn,” said President Ronald Reagan — propelled the book up the
best seller lists.
PHOTOS: TOM CLANCY DEAD AT 66
Reagan had received the book as a Christmas present. Clancy based the thriller on a true-life 1975 mutiny aboard a Soviet missile frigate.
The 1984 novel sold more than 5 million copies, followed by a hit movie starring Baldwin and Sean Connery. By 1988, Clancy had netted a $3 million contract with Putnam Penguin Publishing for his next three books.
“What happened to me was pure dumb luck,” Clancy once told the American Movie Channel. “I’m not the new Hemingway.”
Clancy was even invited to a White House luncheon where Navy Secretary John Lehman expressed disbelief at the author’s ability to spin such accurate stories without access to classified documents.
RELATED: BEST-SELLING AUTHOR TOM CLANCY'S HOME DAMAGED IN FIRE
But attention to detail became Clancy’s calling card in his military
thrillers. He plumbed books, interviews and unclassified papers to
create his page-turning scenarios.
His 1994 novel “Debt of Honor” even foreshadowed the 9/11 attacks, with a suicidal terrorist crashing a jetliner into the U.S. Capitol.
Clancy’s own hopes of military service were scuttled by nearsightedness, sending him into the insurance industry.
After his success, Clancy often sported fighter pilot-styled sunglasses.
RELATED: TOM CLANCY IS FEELING SOME CLEAR AND PRESENT SADNESS
Fellow best-selling author David Baldacci said Clancy’s work opened the door for other writers in the genre.
“He did help pave the way for a lot of thriller writers,” said Baldacci, author of “Absolute Power.”
The son of a mailman said boredom led him to launch his writing career. He started “Red October” in 1982, with success quickly following.
Clancy is survived by four children and his second wife, Alexandra Llewellyn.
The 66-year-old Clancy passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital in his hometown of Baltimore, according to his publisher, Penguin Group. He died after a brief illness, the Baltimore Sun reported.
His surprising death comes two months before the scheduled publication of his next novel, “Command Authority” — likely the latest in Clancy’s run of blockbuster books.
ANDREW GOMBERT/EPA
Tom Clancy, pictured at a New York book signing in 2003, died Tuesday night in a Baltimore hospital, his hospital reported.
PHOTOS: IN MEMORIAM: STARS WE'VE LOST IN 2013
Movies based on Clancy books grossed nearly $800 million, and he sold more than 100 million books in his career. The movie “Jack Ryan,” starring Chris Pine, opens on Christmas Day.
Mark Fellman/ Paramount Pictures
Ben Affleck stars as Jack Ryan in the film adaptation of Tom Clancy's book 'The Sum of All Fears.'
“I will miss him dearly and he will be missed by tens of millions of readers worldwide.”
Paramount Pictures
Anne Archer is thrown to the ground by Harrison Ford in a scene from the film 'Patriot Games.'
Reagan had received the book as a Christmas present. Clancy based the thriller on a true-life 1975 mutiny aboard a Soviet missile frigate.
The 1984 novel sold more than 5 million copies, followed by a hit movie starring Baldwin and Sean Connery. By 1988, Clancy had netted a $3 million contract with Putnam Penguin Publishing for his next three books.
VINCE LUPO/AP
Clancy’s last book was 2012’s ‘Threat Vector.’
Clancy was even invited to a White House luncheon where Navy Secretary John Lehman expressed disbelief at the author’s ability to spin such accurate stories without access to classified documents.
RELATED: BEST-SELLING AUTHOR TOM CLANCY'S HOME DAMAGED IN FIRE
Buyenlarge/Getty Images
'The Hunt for Red October' was turned into a hit movie starring Alex Baldwin and Sean Connery.
His 1994 novel “Debt of Honor” even foreshadowed the 9/11 attacks, with a suicidal terrorist crashing a jetliner into the U.S. Capitol.
Clancy’s own hopes of military service were scuttled by nearsightedness, sending him into the insurance industry.
Reuters/BLOOMBERG NEWS
Tom Clancy wrote more than 25 books, 17 of which reached the No. 1 spot on the New York Times best seller list.
RELATED: TOM CLANCY IS FEELING SOME CLEAR AND PRESENT SADNESS
Fellow best-selling author David Baldacci said Clancy’s work opened the door for other writers in the genre.
“He did help pave the way for a lot of thriller writers,” said Baldacci, author of “Absolute Power.”
The son of a mailman said boredom led him to launch his writing career. He started “Red October” in 1982, with success quickly following.
Clancy is survived by four children and his second wife, Alexandra Llewellyn.
