“ But the human mind, when it reaches the bottom of the abyss, must bounce back or disintegrate entirely. “
Quotes by Edward Bunker
Introducing Edward Bunker
Edward Heward Bunker, born on December 31, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, was an American author, screenwriter, and actor renowned for his authentic portrayals of crime and prison life. His early years were tumultuous; the son of an alcoholic stagehand father and a chorus girl mother, Bunker began running away from home at the age of five and had his first run-in with the law by fourteen. His rebellious behavior led to multiple incarcerations, and at seventeen, he became the youngest inmate ever at San Quentin State Prison.
During his time in prison, Bunker developed a passion for writing, drawing inspiration from his experiences and interactions with fellow inmates. He was particularly influenced by death row inmate and author Caryl Chessman, who encouraged his literary pursuits. Bunker's dedication culminated in his debut novel, "No Beast So Fierce," published in 1973 while he was still incarcerated. The novel received critical acclaim for its raw and realistic depiction of the criminal underworld. After his release in 1975, Bunker focused on his writing career, producing notable works such as "The Animal Factory" (1977), "Little Boy Blue" (1981), and "Dog Eat Dog" (1995).
In addition to his literary achievements, Bunker ventured into Hollywood, leveraging his firsthand knowledge of crime to write screenplays and act in films. He co-wrote and appeared in "Straight Time" (1978), adapted from his debut novel, and contributed to the screenplay for "Runaway Train" (1985). Bunker is perhaps best known for his role as Mr. Blue in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" (1992).
Bunker's personal life saw him marry Jennifer Steele in 1977, with whom he had a son, Brendan, in 1993. The marriage eventually ended in divorce. A diabetic, Bunker passed away on July 19, 2005, in Burbank, California, following complications from surgery.
During his time in prison, Bunker developed a passion for writing, drawing inspiration from his experiences and interactions with fellow inmates. He was particularly influenced by death row inmate and author Caryl Chessman, who encouraged his literary pursuits. Bunker's dedication culminated in his debut novel, "No Beast So Fierce," published in 1973 while he was still incarcerated. The novel received critical acclaim for its raw and realistic depiction of the criminal underworld. After his release in 1975, Bunker focused on his writing career, producing notable works such as "The Animal Factory" (1977), "Little Boy Blue" (1981), and "Dog Eat Dog" (1995).
In addition to his literary achievements, Bunker ventured into Hollywood, leveraging his firsthand knowledge of crime to write screenplays and act in films. He co-wrote and appeared in "Straight Time" (1978), adapted from his debut novel, and contributed to the screenplay for "Runaway Train" (1985). Bunker is perhaps best known for his role as Mr. Blue in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" (1992).
Bunker's personal life saw him marry Jennifer Steele in 1977, with whom he had a son, Brendan, in 1993. The marriage eventually ended in divorce. A diabetic, Bunker passed away on July 19, 2005, in Burbank, California, following complications from surgery.