Clifford Irving

Birth : 1930-11-05, New York City, New York, USA

History

Clifford Michael Irving (born November 5, 1930) is an American author of novels and works of nonfiction, but best known for using forged handwritten letters to convince his publisher into accepting a fake "autobiography" of reclusive businessman Howard Hughes in the early 1970s. After Hughes denounced him and sued the publisher, Irving confessed the hoax and was subsequently sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, serving 17 months. Description above from the Wikipedia article Clifford Irving, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Profile

Movies

Masterpiece or Forgery? The Story of Elmyr De Hory

Himself

Elmyr de Hory was called "The Myth of our Century" when he was revealed as a master forger in 1968. Born in 1905, he made an estimated 1000 fake paintings, primarily in the style of the post-impressionists before he died - or disappeared - in 1976. In addition to faking paintings, Elmyr de Hory often faked his own identity, and traveled easily throughout Europe's high society.

The Hoax

Book

In what would cause a fantastic media frenzy, Clifford Irving sells his bogus biography of Howard Hughes to a premiere publishing house in the early 1970s.

The Spring

Novel

A man and his son stumble onto a modern-day fountain of youth while camping in the woods.

Almost True: The Noble Art of Forgery

Self

Film about art forger Elmyr de Hory. He was also one of the subjects of Orson Welles' documentary F for Fake (1974). A Norwegian production directed by Knut W. Jorfald, spoken in English.

Trial: The Price of Passion

Book

Down-on-his-luck lawyer Warren Blackburn defends wealthy Texan Johnnie Faye Boudreau, who is accused of murdering her husband.

'F for Fake' Trailer

Self

An unreleased 9 minute trailer for F for Fake directed by Orson Welles as promotional reel for the film's American release.

F for Fake

Self

Documents the lives of infamous fakers Elmyr de Hory and Clifford Irving. De Hory, who later committed suicide to avoid more prison time, made his name by selling forged works of art by painters like Picasso and Matisse. Irving was infamous for writing a fake autobiography of Howard Hughes. Welles moves between documentary and fiction as he examines the fundamental elements of fraud and the people who commit fraud at the expense of others.