FURY, David (A.) 1950-

PERSONAL:

Born David Furry, December 6, 1950, in Minneapolis, MN; son of Robert S. (a pipefitter) and Lillian Ruth (a homemaker; maiden name, Daris) Furry; married (divorced). Ethnicity: "German/Lithuanian." Education: Attended University of Minnesota; Brown Institute of Broadcasting, graduated, 1978. Hobbies and other interests: Acoustic guitar, songwriting, swing and tango dancing.

ADDRESSES:

Office—c/o the WB Television Network, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522.

CAREER:

Author, screenwriter, songwriter, and guitarist. Radio announcer, 1978-80; Artist's Press, Minneapolis, MN, founder and publisher, 1988—. Tapestry Folk Dance Center, Minneapolis, MN, member of board of directors. Military service: U.S. Army 1970-72, Specialist 5; awarded Vietnam service medals.

MEMBER:

Burroughs Bibliophiles (honorary life member)

AWARDS, HONORS:

Golden Lion award, Burroughs Bibliophiles, 1994, for Kings of the Jungle: An Illustrated Reference to On-Screen and Television.

WRITINGS:

The Cinema History of Burt Lancaster, Artist's Press (Minneapolis, MN), 1989.

Kings of the Jungle: An Illustrated Reference to On-Screen and Television, foreword by Maureen O'Sullivan, McFarland (Jefferson, NC), 1994.

Chuck Connors: The Man behind the Rifle, Artist's Press (Minneapolis, MN), 1997.

Johnny Weissmuller: Twice the Hero, foreword by Johnny Sheffield, Artist's Press (Minneapolis, MN), 2000.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

A biography of Maureen O'Sullivan; another film history book for McFarland.

SIDELIGHTS:

David Fury, the author of several filmographies and biographies, draws his inspiration from the fascinating and unique lives of his subjects. Regarding books such as The Cinema History of Burt Lancaster and Johnny Weissmuller: Twice the Hero, critics have commented on the intensity with which Fury discusses the lives of some of the screen legends of the mid-twentieth century. His excitement and passion for his subjects is also appreciated by the fans of these legendary film action heroes.

In its enthusiastic approach and inclusion of many illustrations, Fury's Johnny Weissmuller: Twice the Hero reminded Library Journal reviewer Lisa N. Johnston of the "fan magazines of the 1950s." Johnston stated that Fury "has written more a tribute than a biography of Weissmuller," although she went on to recommend the book for fans of Hollywood's first "Tarzan" films rather than for a general readership. In contrast however, Mike Tribby, in a Booklist review, found the book not only a "sympathetic biography," but also "well worth reading" for all film buffs.

Fury told CA: "I enjoy the creative process—I have inspirations, therefore I create. I'm passionate about my subjects: Burt Lancaster, Chuck Connors, Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan. They had fascinating lives and careers and are fine individuals that I admired. I write music also—a song pops in my head so I grab a guitar and write it out, then record it for copyright posterity! I love music!"

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, June 1, 2000, Mike Tribby, review of Johnny Weissmuller: Twice the Hero, p. 1829.

Library Journal, May 1, 2000, Lisa N. Johnston, review of Johnny Weissmuller, p. 115.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, October, 1994, Jack Sullivan, review of Kings of the Jungle: An Illustrated Reference to Tarzan on Screen and Television, p. 18.

ONLINE

Artist's Press Web site,http://www.artistspress.com/ (January 27, 2005).*