Truman Capote (30 September 1924, New Orleans, Louisiana – 25 August 1984, Los Angeles, California) - An American writer whose short stories, novels, plays and non-fiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a “non-fiction novel.”  At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories, and screenplays.  He was a lifelong friend of author Harper Lee, who wrote the 1960 bestselling, Pulitzer prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird.  He died in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 59.  According to the coroner’s report the cause of death was “liver disease complicated by phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication.”  He died at the home of his old friend Joanne Carson, ex-wife of late-night TV host Johnny Carson, on whose program Capote had been a frequent guest.  He was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, leaving behind his longtime companion, author Jack Dunphy.  In 2005, the biopic Capote got five Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor win for Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played the title character.  Here is a clip of Capote explaining his idea behind In Cold Blood: