Ray Bradbury is an American writer on fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery fiction. His most notable works included his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 (1953) as well as the science fiction and horror stories compiled as The Martian Chronicles (1950) and The Illustrated Man (1951). He was also one of the most celebrated 20th century American writers whose works have been adapted into comic books, television shows and films.

In 1966, Fahrenheit 451 was adapted into a film which starred Julie Christie, and directed by Francois Truffaut. It has received several award nominations. The Martian Chronicles was adapted in 1980 which starred Rock Hudson. However, Bradbury was not happy with the outcome of the film. Also, he has written episodes for Alfred Hitchcock’s TV series as well as several other television productions. He has an estimated total of 600 short stories, 30 books, and numerous poems and plays.

Ray Bradbury received a National Medal of Arts in 2004. He was also given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6644 Hollywood Blvd. An asteroid called 9766 Bradbury was named in his honor and an Apollo astronaut named a crater on the moon Dandelion Crater after his novel Dandelion Wine. He received the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Grand Master Award from Science Fiction Writers of America, an Emmy Award for his work as a writer on The Halloween Tree, and a lot more.

Ray Douglas Bradbury was born on August 22, 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois. He attended Los Angeles High School and became part of the drama club with a plan to become an actor. After graduation, he no longer had a formal education. Instead, he learned from reading books by writers such as Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Other influences included Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Rice Burroughs and John Carter to name a few.

Bradbury died on June 5, 2012 at the age of 91 in Los Angeles, California after a lengthy illness.