The Day of the Jackal author and former MI6 agent Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86
He sold over 70 million novels throughout his career.
Author Frederick Forsyth, best known for writing thrillers including The Day of the Jackal, has died aged 86.
Throughout his career, the English novelist and journalist wrote over 25 books and sold more than 75 million copies in more than 30 languages.
Some of them included The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil’s Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan, The Cobra and The Kill List.
More than a dozen of his titles have been adapted for screen, including 1971’s The Day of the Jackal, which followed an Englishman hired to assassinate the French president at the time, Charles de Gaulle.
`It was made into a movie starring Edward Fox in 1973. Last year Sky released a TV version, whichstarred Eddie Redmayne as the titular character.
It’s now been announced the novelist died earlier today after a brief illness.
He was best known for writing novels including The Day Of The Jackal (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/ Getty Images) A TV version starring Eddie Redmayne was released last year (Picture: Marcell Piti/ Sky)His literary agents Curtis Brown said that the best-selling author was surrounded by his family as he died at home on Monday morning.
In a statement, his agent Jonathan Lloyd wrote: ‘We mourn the passing of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers.
‘Only a few weeks ago I sat with him as we watched a new and moving documentary of his life – In My Own Words, to be released later this year on BBC1 – and was reminded of an extraordinary life, well lived.
‘After serving as one of the youngest ever RAF pilots, he turned to journalism, using his gift for languages in German, French and Russian to become a foreign correspondent in Biafra.
‘Appalled at what he saw and using his experience during a stint as a secret service agent, he wrote his first and perhaps most famous novel, The Day of the Jackal, and instantly became a global bestselling author.’
Lloyd continued: ‘He went on to write more than 25 books (many of which were made into films) that have sold over 75 million copies.
Forsyth worked as a journalist before turning his attention to writing novels (Picture: Hulton Archive/ Getty Images) Over 75 million copies of his books were sold (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)‘He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, all of us at Curtis Brown and of course his millions of fans around the world – though his books will of course live on forever.’
Meanwhile Forsyth’s publisher Bill Scott-Kerr reflected on how The Day of the Jackal ‘was an instant bestseller across the world and immediately propelled Freddie into a globally successful career’.
‘Working with Freddie has been one of the great pleasures of my professional life…it was a joy and an education to watch him at work.
‘Still read by millions across the world, Freddie’s thrillers define the genre and are still the benchmark to which contemporary writers aspire. He leaves behind a peerless legacy which will continue to excite and entertain for years to come,’ he added.
Later this year Forsyth’s book Revenge Of Odessa, his collaborative sequel to his 1974 classic, The Odessa File, on which he worked with bestselling thriller writer Tony Kent, will be released.
Born in Ashford, Kent, in 1938, Forsyth completed his National Service in the Royal Air Force as a pilot.
The 1973 film version of The Day of the Jackal starred Edward Fox (Picture: Everett/ Rex/ Shutterstock) Michael Caine starred in The Fourth Protocol in 1987 (Picture: Rex/ Shutterstock)He then went on to pursue a career in journalism, joining Reuters in 1961 before moving to the BBC four years later.
Working as an assistant diplomatic correspondent, Forsyth began by covering French affairs and the attempted assassination of Charles de Gaulle and then reporting on the Nigerian Civil War.
After quitting his job and working as a freelance reporter, he released his first book, The Biafra Story, in 1969.
Although he went on to write a string of hugely successful novels, he once said he only turned to writing fiction due to needing to make money rathe than any desire to become a novelist.
Reflecting on writing The Day of the Jackal – his first full-length novel – Forsyth said he wrote it because he was ‘skint, stony broke’.
That book debuted to glowing reviews and won the 1972 Best Novel Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.
His book Revenge of Odessa will be released later this year (Picture: Shutterstock)Decades later – in 2015 – he revealed that he’d been an informant for MI6 for over 20 years.
Forsyth also narrated several documentaries, including Jesus Christ Airlines, Soldiers: A History of Men in Battle and I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life & Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal.
Forsyth was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1997 New Year Honours list for services to literature.
Last years’ The Day of the Jackal adaptation was nominated for two Golden Globe Award’s – Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor for Redmayne.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
