Pasadena Author Brian Garfield of "Death Wish" Fame, Dead at 79

Brian Garfield, who earned A-list writer status with his 1972 novel “Death Wish,” has died in Pasadena.
His literary agent Judy Coppage informed media outlets that the scribe passed away Dec. 29, at his home from causes related to Parkinson’s disease.
Garfield was a prolific writer of books, and reportedly sold over 200 million copies, some of which were adapted to the film genre.
The aforementioned “Death Wish,” arguably his best-known work, was adapted into a feature film starring 1970s action hero Charles Bronson.
The plot was rooted in bloodlust and revenge. A liberal-minded accountant’s wife is killed, and his daughter left clinging to life in a home invasion. His response is to take up a gun and go after, not just the perpetrators of that crime, but other equally wicked criminals staining the urban landscape.
There were four sequels, apparently none of which were to Garfield’s liking. He is on record as having a dim view of Bronson’s acting talents. More recently, Bruce Willis starred in a remake.
Garfield was born in New York, but grew up in Arizona where his exposure to writers in his home environment led to his first completed novel at the age of 18. He was, in addition to a prolific writer, a touring member of the 1950s doo-wop group, The Palisades.