Michael VerMeulen

Michael VerMeulen (December 10, 1956 – August 28, 1995) was an American magazine editor of British GQ who resided in Islington, London until his death.

Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, VerMeulen was a journalist and editor, who came into contact during his late adolescence with playwright David Mamet and the circle of actors surrounding him in Chicago at that time.[1] He contributed regularly to a number of magazines including Vanity Fair and Parade before leaving for London where he worked initially for a financial publication, before joining British GQ in 1988 as its founding features editor.[2] VerMeulen was promoted within GQ to deputy editor in 1990 and to editor in 1992.[3]

VerMeulen died of a drug overdose[4] on Sunday, 28 August 1995, in his home in Islington, London. A coroner's inquest found over two and a half times the lethal dose of cocaine in his system, and decided it was an unfortunate case of 'wild misadventure'.[5]

His funeral was held at St. George's, Hanover Square, London. David Mamet sent a special eulogy that was read during the service. Over 400 people, including editors and writers, were in attendance.

  1. ^ The Eclipse: A Memoir of Suicide, by Antonella Gambotto-Burke, p30.
  2. ^ "From Boys to Men", by Michael Wolff, New York Magazine.
  3. ^ The Associated Press (August 31, 1995). "Michael VerMeulen; Editor, 38". The New York Times. p. B15.
  4. ^ Making sense of men's magazines By Peter Jackson, Nick Stevenson, Kate Brooks. John Wiley & Sons. p. 54
  5. ^ "Editor died from cocaine overdose", The Independent, November 8, 1995.