Photo: 不明 / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Runyon is one of my favorite reasons to love old New York writing. He turned Prohibition-era Broadway, its gamblers, hustlers and showgirls, into a whole literary universe with a slangy voice so distinctive that we still say 'a Damon Runyon character' today. That a journalist could create a phrase outliving him by eighty years tells you everything. The seed of Guys and Dolls came from his pen, and his boxing Hall of Fame nod proves the sportswriter's heart was real. I admire most his rare gift: writing about lowlifes with affection rather than contempt.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Damon Runyon
- Name (Japanese)
- デイモン・ラニアン
- Reading
- でいもん・らにあん
- Born
- October 4, 1880 – December 10, 1946
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Dragon
- Origin
- Manhattan, Kansas, United States
- Occupation
- writer / journalist / film producer
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 2002 International Boxing Hall of Fame
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Damon Runyon born?
October 4, 1880 – December 10, 1946.
Where is Damon Runyon from?
Damon Runyon is from Manhattan, Kansas, United States.
What does Damon Runyon do?
Damon Runyon works as writer, journalist, film producer.
What is Damon Runyon known for?
Notable works include The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown.
Writer — see all → · Journalist — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.