W. R. Burnett

W. R. Burnett
Burnett in 1935
Born
William Riley Burnett

(1899-11-25)November 25, 1899
DiedApril 25, 1982(1982-04-25) (aged 82)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Years active1931–1972
Spouse(s)
Marjorie Louise Barstow
(m. 1920)
[1]
Whitney Forbes Johnston
(m. 1943)
[2]
ChildrenJames, William

William Riley Burnett (November 25, 1899 – April 25, 1982) was an American novelist and screenwriter. He is best known for the crime novel Little Caesar, the film adaptation of which is considered the first of the classic American gangster movies.

  1. ^ Franklin County, Ohio, Marriage Records, vol. 1918–1922, p. 604
  2. ^ Obituary in the New York Times: W.R. BURNET, 82, THE AUTHOR OF 'LITTLE CAESAR' AND 40 FILMS