Author, journalist Tom King dies at 39 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brett Ferino · 04-15-2003, 08:49 PM

SUMMARY: Celebrated entertainment journalist and Wall Street Journal reporter Tom King, 39, died suddenly on Sunday while vacationing with friends.

Celebrated entertainment journalist and Wall Street Journal reporter Tom King, 39, who wrote what many consider the authoritative biography of Hollywood mogul David Geffen, died suddenly on Sunday while vacationing with friends. He was 39 years old.

A reporter with the Journal since 1989, King had written about the entertainment industry for the paper since 1991, where he covered everything from the disastrous budget of Kevin Costner's 1995 film "Waterworld" to the continuous shuffle of high-powered Hollywood executives.

King, who lived in Los Angeles for over a decade, died in the New York beach community the Hamptons while visiting his longtime friend, Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller. King had complained of a headache, but Seller said there was nothing to indicate anything else was seriously wrong. At about 8 a.m. on Sunday, Seller found King collapsed on the floor of a bathroom. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Although an autopsy has been scheduled, initial reports indicated King had died of natural causes.

In 2000 King published his best-known work, "The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys and Sells the New Hollywood," which the San Francisco Chronicle called "a detailed portrait of Hollywood's premier manipulator" and the Philadelphia Enquirer referred to as "Illuminating." The 670-page book was an exhaustive study of Geffen, the billionaire co-founder of Dreamworks and one of the most powerful openly gay men in Hollywood history.

Initially Geffen gave King unprecedented access to his colleagues and friends, but Geffen stopped cooperating with his biographer after he found out King was interviewing the mogul's estranged brother.

Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, King started at The Wall Street Journal as a news assistant in 1986, after graduating from the University of Iowa. His first job as a reporter for the paper started in 1989 when he was assigned to cover the advertising industry.

"He was very smart, very strategic, a fine reporter and a wonderful friend," Scott Seomin, a spokesman for GLAAD, told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "My most fond memory of Tom was watching the 'Ellen' coming-out episode at the house. He talked about growing up with no gay images on TV and what that historic night meant."

Steven Petrow, president of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, said King's reputation as such a well-regarded openly gay journalist was significant. "He was important as an out professional and a role model, both at the Journal and beyond the Journal," Petrow told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network.

The Journal's Paul Steiger issued a statement about King's death, noting that "His splendid work on both coasts, his wit and good humor, and his irrepressible spirit all energized our lives and made the paper a better place. We will miss him."

King is survived by his partner, Ken Miller, his parents, and his brother and sister.

04-15-2003, 08:49 PM	#1
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	Author, journalist Tom King dies at 39 SUMMARY: Celebrated entertainment journalist and Wall Street Journal reporter Tom King, 39, died suddenly on Sunday while vacationing with friends. Celebrated entertainment journalist and Wall Street Journal reporter Tom King, 39, who wrote what many consider the authoritative biography of Hollywood mogul David Geffen, died suddenly on Sunday while vacationing with friends. He was 39 years old. A reporter with the Journal since 1989, King had written about the entertainment industry for the paper since 1991, where he covered everything from the disastrous budget of Kevin Costner's 1995 film "Waterworld" to the continuous shuffle of high-powered Hollywood executives. King, who lived in Los Angeles for over a decade, died in the New York beach community the Hamptons while visiting his longtime friend, Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller. King had complained of a headache, but Seller said there was nothing to indicate anything else was seriously wrong. At about 8 a.m. on Sunday, Seller found King collapsed on the floor of a bathroom. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Although an autopsy has been scheduled, initial reports indicated King had died of natural causes. In 2000 King published his best-known work, "The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys and Sells the New Hollywood," which the San Francisco Chronicle called "a detailed portrait of Hollywood's premier manipulator" and the Philadelphia Enquirer referred to as "Illuminating." The 670-page book was an exhaustive study of Geffen, the billionaire co-founder of Dreamworks and one of the most powerful openly gay men in Hollywood history. Initially Geffen gave King unprecedented access to his colleagues and friends, but Geffen stopped cooperating with his biographer after he found out King was interviewing the mogul's estranged brother. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, King started at The Wall Street Journal as a news assistant in 1986, after graduating from the University of Iowa. His first job as a reporter for the paper started in 1989 when he was assigned to cover the advertising industry. "He was very smart, very strategic, a fine reporter and a wonderful friend," Scott Seomin, a spokesman for GLAAD, told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "My most fond memory of Tom was watching the 'Ellen' coming-out episode at the house. He talked about growing up with no gay images on TV and what that historic night meant." Steven Petrow, president of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, said King's reputation as such a well-regarded openly gay journalist was significant. "He was important as an out professional and a role model, both at the Journal and beyond the Journal," Petrow told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. The Journal's Paul Steiger issued a statement about King's death, noting that "His splendid work on both coasts, his wit and good humor, and his irrepressible spirit all energized our lives and made the paper a better place. We will miss him." King is survived by his partner, Ken Miller, his parents, and his brother and sister.