About
Author best known for his debut novel Leaving Las Vegas. He died by suicide two weeks after learning that the novel was to be made into a movie. His other novels The Assault on Tony's, Better, and Stripper Lessons were published after his death.
Before fame
In 1978, he graduated from Lakewood High School in Ohio.
Trivia
He wrote for the animated series Rugrats. His short story, The Tik, was published in the 2008 collection Las Vegas Noir.
Family life
He was married to Lisa Kirkwood from 1979 to 1992. His brother is writer Erin O'Brien.
Associated with
His debut novel was developed into the film Leaving Las Vegas starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue.
