Best-selling author and journalist Dominick Dunne has died. He was 83. I loved the writing of this man. He told the best stories and made everything seem so accessible while being absolutely brilliant.
Vanity Fair won't be the same for me without him. I've always turned to his column first.
He once countered F. Scott Fitzgerald's contention that there are no second acts in life--Dunne said that there are third and even fourth acts. What an inspiration that was to me as a writer....
I just loved him. For years I would walk past him every day on my way to work and we would nod hello to each other. Never had the courage to speak to him -- wish I had. I always admired him.
Major sadness. In the beginning of August he was at the clinic in Germany that Farrah went to, he was also there when she was having her treatment--he had the room right next to hers, which was classic Dominick timing.
I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Mr. Dunne several years ago. He was intriguing and a true gentleman. He was and remains one of my role models as a writer. RIP, Mr. Dunne.
Ok all - admission: I've never read a thing by Mr. Dunne, yet have an abiding respect from all I've heard. So after I finish my current read (The Fountainhead - fabulous!!), which one of his books would you all suggest I read?
I have read every book and article written by Mr. Dunne. It was a pleasure and a treat to open my monthly subscription of Vanity Fair and flip to his article - I once described him as rich dark chocolate - a delicious necessary sin.
To the uninitiated, I strongly recommend Fatal Charms, Dominick Dunne's account of his daughter's murder and the subsequent trial of her killer. You will understand why he is such a victim's rights advocate after reading this. Also loved An Inconvenient Woman; Another City, Not My Own; his interview with Queen Noor for Vanity Fair; his coverage of the Menendez and OJ Simpson trials. Too many to list.
While he was covering the Simpson criminal trial for Vanity Fair, I wrote to Mr. Dunne about it, and he was kind enough to send a personal note back.
Rest in peace, dear man. The world will be a duller place without you.
I loved this man, he did so much for victims rights after his daughter was murdered. He's one of the reasons I never let my VF subscription run out since the 80's.
He was a wonderful writer, and will be missed very much. He was the originator of classy snark.
I had no idea that Griffin Dunne was his son. I remember when his daughter was murdered. What a sad, terrible thing to live through as a parent and then live it again in the courtroom. RIP Mr. Dunne.
How sad. I really admired him, particularly for how he turned his unspeakable tragedy into doing so much good for victims' rights and exposing injustice. I loved his crime show, especially the Von Bulow and Claudine Longet/Spider Sabich episodes, and was riveted by his Phil Spector reports. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend the doco on him, 'Celebrity:Dominick Dunne'. What a great loss, but it is comforting to know the legacy of his good work remains and that he has inspired so many. RIP.
I loved his column in Vanity Fair (as well as his books). He knew EVERYBODY and I loved his namedropping LOL! He seemed like such a warm and interesting old fashioned gentleman. I loved the way he would refer to old Hollywood couples: "We had the Gary Coopers over for supper, etc."
Dominick Dunne made me a fan of non fiction writing. He was a brilliant writer and a captivating speaker. The stories that he wrote were I am sure, only the tip of the iceberg of all the things that he has seen during his lifetime. RIP you will be forever remembered and cherished.
It's been a sad day. First Ted Kennedy and then this.
ReplyDeleteRIP
RIP. glad he got that court tv/tru tv show.
ReplyDeleteRIP. Sad sad day--you're right Kara.
ReplyDeleteVanity Fair won't be the same for me without him. I've always turned to his column first.
He once countered F. Scott Fitzgerald's contention that there are no second acts in life--Dunne said that there are third and even fourth acts. What an inspiration that was to me as a writer....
I just loved him. For years I would walk past him every day on my way to work and we would nod hello to each other. Never had the courage to speak to him -- wish I had. I always admired him.
ReplyDeletesad...
ReplyDeleteOMG NO.
ReplyDeleteHe is one of my favorites, Another Country, Not My Own is a must read for everyone.
I am so sad today :(
I'm tired of people dying. :( R.I.P. Mr. Dunne.
ReplyDeleteI really looked forward to reading his work, sad day indeed RIP
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteThe Two Mrs. Grenvilles is the first 'adult' novel I remember reading. It was fantastic.
RIP
Major sadness. In the beginning of August he was at the clinic in Germany that Farrah went to, he was also there when she was having her treatment--he had the room right next to hers, which was classic Dominick timing.
ReplyDeleteMooshki,
ReplyDeleteI was going to write that same thing.
:(
I hate growing old...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei am truly heartbroken over this...what a truly brilliant man. that family has seen so much tragedy, may god be w/ them at this time.
ReplyDeletewe lost one of the real mccoy, true-blue greats. :(
Agreed, VF will not be the same w/o DD.
ReplyDeleteWow--the wealth of things he saw, heard and did must've been one heckuva ride through the limelight and the inevitable shadows it casts!
He wrote and worked right until the end, too, from what I could tell.
I remember when his daughter was murdered. RIP Dominick
ReplyDeleteRIP Dominick. You will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Mr. Dunne several years ago. He was intriguing and a true gentleman. He was and remains one of my role models as a writer. RIP, Mr. Dunne.
ReplyDeleteThis is just not a good year. RIP.
ReplyDeleteOk all - admission: I've never read a thing by Mr. Dunne, yet have an abiding respect from all I've heard.
ReplyDeleteSo after I finish my current read (The Fountainhead - fabulous!!), which one of his books would you all suggest I read?
I have read every book and article written by Mr. Dunne. It was a pleasure and a treat to open my monthly subscription of Vanity Fair and flip to his article - I once described him as rich dark chocolate - a delicious necessary sin.
ReplyDeleteOn a day full of loss, the CDAN community provides connection and comfort. Thanks to all.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket!
ReplyDeleteI misspoke. My apologies to dear Mr. Dunne.
The wonderful book is
Another City, Not My Own
It is about the OJ trial. Fascinating and compelling, with his unique voice.
No, no, no, no, no, no no, no!
ReplyDeleteI am heartbroken to learn this news.
To the uninitiated, I strongly recommend Fatal Charms, Dominick Dunne's account of his daughter's murder and the subsequent trial of her killer. You will understand why he is such a victim's rights advocate after reading this. Also loved An Inconvenient Woman; Another City, Not My Own; his interview with Queen Noor for Vanity Fair; his coverage of the Menendez and OJ Simpson trials. Too many to list.
While he was covering the Simpson criminal trial for Vanity Fair, I wrote to Mr. Dunne about it, and he was kind enough to send a personal note back.
Rest in peace, dear man. The world will be a duller place without you.
Apropos of nothing, the third picture down is actually his brother John Gregory Dunne, his wife Joan Didion, and their daughter.
ReplyDeleteThis year can not end fast enough.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Dunne for being a champion for victim's rights. You will be missed.
^^ Yes, Ardleigh. I loved this man. He was brilliant and all love.
ReplyDeleteHe and Ted are terrible losses. :-C
Also, the book he was currently writing was completed while he was at the clinic. IIRC, it was supposed to be published this December.
ReplyDeleteI loved this man, he did so much for victims rights after his daughter was murdered. He's one of the reasons I never let my VF subscription run out since the 80's.
ReplyDeleteHe was a wonderful writer, and will be missed very much. He was the originator of classy snark.
Everybody else said it better. What a terrific, captivating writer.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Another City, Not My Own is fascinating, RocketQueen. But pretty much anything of his that you decide to read first will get you hooked.
I had no idea that Griffin Dunne was his son.
ReplyDeleteI remember when his daughter was murdered. What a sad, terrible thing to live through as a parent and then live it again in the courtroom.
RIP Mr. Dunne.
I am yet another longstanding Dominick Dunne fan ... god bless and godspeed Mr. Dunne.
ReplyDeleteHow sad. I really admired him, particularly for how he turned his unspeakable tragedy into doing so much good for victims' rights and exposing injustice. I loved his crime show, especially the Von Bulow and Claudine Longet/Spider Sabich episodes, and was riveted by his Phil Spector reports. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend the doco on him, 'Celebrity:Dominick Dunne'. What a great loss, but it is comforting to know the legacy of his good work remains and that he has inspired so many. RIP.
ReplyDeleteI loved his column in Vanity Fair (as well as his books). He knew EVERYBODY and I loved his namedropping LOL! He seemed like such a warm and interesting old fashioned gentleman. I loved the way he would refer to old Hollywood couples:
ReplyDelete"We had the Gary Coopers over for supper, etc."
Dominick Dunne made me a fan of non fiction writing. He was a brilliant writer and a captivating speaker. The stories that he wrote were I am sure, only the tip of the iceberg of all the things that he has seen during his lifetime. RIP you will be forever remembered and cherished.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe he and Ellie Greenwich have died on the same day. They are two of my favourite people ever.
ReplyDeleteTed Kennedy was a murderer. Plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteRIP Dominick Dunne. he was great reading.
I loved his writing also. Particularly his crime reporting. He gave a voice to the victim like no other. RIP, Mr. Dunne, you will be missed.
ReplyDelete