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Truman Garcia Capote (September 30, 1924 - August 25, 1984) was an American writer best known for his "nonfiction novel" (journalism with a literary voice) In Cold Blood and the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's, both of which were adapted into movies. He wrote a childhood memoir called A Christmas Memory that he adapted for television and narrated.
Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons in New Orleans. He was a childhood friend of Harper Lee and was the inspiration for the character of Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird.
He appeared as Lionel Twain in the film comedy Murder by Death. A short story published in Esquire in the 1970s alienated many of his celebrity acquaintances, who saw thinly disguised versions of themselves.
Part of his public persona was a long-standing rivalry with Gore Vidal.
He was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California.