Jerzy Kosinski (Levinkompf) Writer Date of Birth: 14.06.1933 Country: Poland

Biography of Jerzy Kosinski (Jerzy Nikodem LevinKopf)

Jerzy Kosinski, a Polish writer, was born on June 14, 1933, in a merchant family. Before the war, Jerzy's father moved the family to the provincial town of Sandomierz and then to a small village called Dambrowa, where he changed their Jewish surname to the Polish one - Kosinski. After the war, Jerzy finished school and enrolled in university to study sociology. Soon, he was sent for an internship in Moscow, but he dreamed of America and wealth. On December 20, 1957, a plane with the Polish immigrant landed at Idlewild Airport.

In 1961, Kosinski met Mary Weir, a widow of a steel magnate from Pittsburgh, and they got married. His first novel, published under the name Jerzy Kosinski, brought him wide recognition - "The Painted Bird" (1964). His second novel, "Steps" (1968), was recognized as the best book of the year. All subsequent works - "Being There" (1971), "The Devil Tree" (1973), "Cockpit" (1975), "Blind Date" (1977), "Passion Play" (1979) - received enthusiastic reviews from critics. Kosinski enjoyed the fame he had always dreamed of and lived a bohemian life. Among his close friends was the scandalous film director Roman Polanski.

In 1982, his novel "Pinball" received sharply negative reviews from critics, and soon the magazine "Village Voice" published an article titled "Jerzy Kosinski: Words with Rot." A scandal broke out, and revelations poured in. Kosinski spiraled into drinking and began using drugs. He got entangled in chaotic relationships, including homosexual ones. He preferred predominantly rough sex and found pleasure in sadomasochistic clubs. On May 2, 1991, Kosinski's disfigured body was found in the bathroom of his apartment.