Joe Hyams
| Joseph Hyams | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 6, 1923 Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Died | November 8, 2008 (aged 85) Denver, Colorado |
| Cause of death | Coronary artery disease |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Syndicated columnist (1951-1964), Author |
| Spouse(s) |
Elke Sommer (1964–1993) (divorced) Melissa Hyams (widowed) |
| Children | Jay and Chris, Beverly and Dianne; stepdaughters Charisse Older and Kara Connor |
Joe Hyams (June 6, 1923 – November 8, 2008) was an American Hollywood columnist and author of bestselling biographies of Hollywood stars.
Hyams was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1923, and grew up in nearby Brookline, Massachusetts. While attending Harvard University, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. He received a Purple Heart and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal while serving in the South Pacific. He later covered the war for Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the United States Armed Forces. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees at New York University, after returning from military service.
In 1951, the New York Herald Tribune sent him to do an article on illegal immigration to the United States. He was flown to Mexico on a small airplane and came back into the United States with a group crossing the border illegally. Once the story was complete, his editor told him that a room was waiting for him at The Beverly Hills Hotel. "Take a break, and if you get a chance to interview any movie stars, go for it." Asked by a man seated at the hotel's pool what he was doing at the hotel, he replied that he was supposed to interview movie stars. "How would you like to interview Humphrey Bogart?" was the reply from what turned out to be Bogart's press agent. When Hyams arrived, Bogart was behind the bar and offered him a drink. Hyams asked for a Coke and Bogart reacted angrily: “I don’t trust any bastard who doesn’t drink, especially a pipe-smoking newspaperman… or a man who has more hair than I have.” At this, Hyams pocketed his notebook and headed for the door. “I don’t drink,” he said on his way out, “and I certainly have more hair on my head than you do.” Bogart liked the courage of the reply and not only granted Hyams an interview, but as soon as it appeared invited him to lunch. In addition to the interview with Humphrey Bogart, within the week Hyams had interviewed Lauren Bacall, Katharine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra and Spencer Tracy. The Herald Tribune had him relocated to Los Angeles. He covered Hollywood as a syndicated columnist from 1951 to 1964.
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