Bestselling Author Eric Jerome Dickey Dies of Cancer at 59: A Literary Legend People 1/6/2021
Eric Jerome Dickey, the
New York Times bestselling author known for his work about contemporary Black life, has died at the age of 59.
Dickey died of cancer on Sunday in Los Angeles, his publicist at Penguin Random House, Emily Canders, confirmed to PEOPLE Tuesday.
Prior to his writing career, Dickey earned a degree in Computer System Technology at the University of Memphis and worked as a software developer in the aerospace industry, according to his website.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1983 to pursue a career in engineering, but quickly found himself drawn to acting and stand-up comedy.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
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Writer Eric Jerome Dickey poses at the 12th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the UCLA campus in 2007 in Los Angeles. Dickey died Jan. 3 after a long illness. He was 59. Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey, whose novels depicted romance, erotica and suspense from the Black perspective, including
Milk in My Coffee,
Sleeping with Strangers and
Friends and Lovers, has died. He was 59.
He died in Los Angeles on Jan. 3 after a long illness, his longtime publicist confirmed Tuesday.
His publisher, Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House, referred to the popular writer as an iconic author and friend on social media.
Bestselling Author Eric Jerome Dickey Notable for His Writings on Black Contemporary Life, Dead at 59
Beloved author
Eric Jerome Dickey, most notable for his bestselling novels about contemporary Black life, including “Sister, Sister” and “Friends and Lovers,” has died. He was 59.
Emily Canders, Dickey’s publicist at Penguin Random House, told The Associated Press that the award-winning writer died after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, Jan. 3, in Los Angeles, California. Canders did not provide any further information regarding Dickey’s death besides listing four daughters among his survivors.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Writer Eric Jerome Dickey poses at the 12th Annual L.A. Times Festival of Books on the U.C.L.A. campus on April 29, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)