Frederick Forsyth, Author of ‘The Day of the Jackal,’ Dies at 86

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Renowned British author Frederick Forsyth, known for his gripping thrillers that inspired films like “The Day of the Jackal,” “The Odessa File,” “The Dogs of War” and “The Fourth Protocol,” passed away on Monday. He was 86 years old.

Forsyth passed away at his residence located in Buckinghamshire, England; this was confirmed by his literary representatives at Curtis Brown.

The author, who had a taste of adventure during his tenure as an air force pilot, later became a renowned novelist. For over forty years, he captivated readers by skillfully blending current events and political intrigue with pulse-pounding action.

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Known for his thrilling novels, the author, who had previously served in the Royal Air Force as a pilot, was one of the most significant figures in his literary genre. For more than four decades, he kept fans on the edge of their seats by expertly combining relevant themes and political drama with suspenseful action.

To do so, he used only a typewriter. No computers for him.

He said in 2008 to the BBC, “I’ve never mistakenly sent multiple chapters out into digital space without being able to retrieve them, and I must ask, have you ever attempted to break into my typewriter? It’s quite secure.

Back in ’71, I found myself immersed in a gripping tale penned by Forsyth – “The Day of the Jackal.” It’s a bone-chilling political drama where I stepped into the shoes of an anonymous English assassin, code-named The Jackal. Hired by the OAS, my mission was to eliminate the French president, Charles de Gaulle, in ’63. Talk about a heart-pounding adventure!

Looking for some fast cash, Forsyth found himself inspired by the subject matter of his debut assignment as a reporter for Reuters.

In a conversation with Publishers Weekly back in 2018, Forsyth mentioned that the idea for his story was already well-developed in his mind since he had served as a foreign correspondent in Paris during the years 1962-63. The OAS was poised to assassinate the President of France, an event he didn’t believe would happen unless they hired a skilled professional with a sniper rifle. Seven years later, he revisited this idea, writing without any prior planning and producing approximately 10 pages every day for 35 days. This work eventually turned into a novel. The only aspect he researched was the process of forging a British passport.

In October and November of 1971, the novel “The Day of the Jackal” enjoyed a seven-week stint at the top of The New York Times Best Seller List. The next year, it was honored with an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America.

In 1973, a movie adaptation produced by Universal Pictures and directed by Fred Zinnemann with a screenplay by Kenneth Ross was released. Edward Fox portrayed the mysterious protagonist in this film, which went on to earn over $16 million at the domestic box office, making it one of the highest-grossing films that year. (A remake from 1997 saw Bruce Willis take on the role of the assassin.)

1972’s “The Odessa File,” a sequel by Forsyth, held the top spot on The Times list for five consecutive weeks in 1973. Similar to its timeline, this novel is set in the year 1963. Its narrative revolves around German reporter Peter Miller who embarks on a quest to find concentration camp commander Eduard Roschmann, a character based on a real SS commander fictionalized by Forsyth within the book. During his investigation, Miller discovers and infiltrates an underground organization known as Odessa, which comprises of former SS members. This secret group is given this code name for reasons that unfold throughout the story.

People had friendly Jewish acquaintances, reliable Jewish bosses; diligent Jewish colleagues. They followed the rules, they didn’t harm anyone. Yet, here was Hitler blaming them for everything. When the vans arrived to take them away, people remained silent. They avoided getting involved, kept their thoughts to themselves. They even started listening to the loudest voice. Because that’s what humans tend to do, especially Germans. We are a people who value obedience. It’s our greatest strength, allowing us to construct an economic marvel while others strike, and it’s our greatest weakness, making us follow a leader like Hitler into a massive catastrophe.

Skillfully weaving aspects of mystery and tension while meticulously portraying historical facts, “The Odessa File” uncovered Nazi war criminals who managed to evade justice. Years following the book’s publication, Roschmann—notorious for his Holocaust crimes and known as “The Butcher of Riga”—was captured in Argentina, where he had lived in exile for many decades.

1974 saw the adaptation of “The Odessa File” by Columbia Pictures, featuring Jon Voight portraying Miller and Maximilian Schell as Roschmann.

In 1974, Frederick Forsyth penned the novel titled “The Dogs of War,” which revolved around a group of hired guns assigned to assassinate the president of an African nation. This story later materialized into a 1980 film, directed by John Irvin and featuring Christopher Walken in a prominent role.

In 1984, the book titled “The Fourth Protocol” was released and became another bestseller for The Times. This novel was later adapted into a movie in 1987, starring Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan. Its plot revolves around a clandestine plan by renegade members of the Soviet Union to secretly place a nuclear bomb close to an American airbase during the Cold War.

In 2016, Forsyth declared his departure from the realm of fiction, expressing that his wife had put a stop to his travels to thrilling destinations. However, he re-entered the world of mystery and espionage with the cyber spy novel “The Fox” in 2018.

Throughout his later years, he continued to be involved in journalism, penning a column for the U.K.’s Daily Express even into his 80s.

In a 2015 interview with Crimespree Magazine, Forsyth expressed that he sees himself as a journalist-style writer, sticking to the truth and verifying facts. He doesn’t delve much into emotional content or elaborate language; instead, his books are grounded in current events based on his personal experiences. He admitted to making mistakes and engaging in various activities, but opted to write about them, or perhaps not.

On the 25th of August, 1938, the author Frederick McCarthy Forsyth entered the world in Ashford, a town located in Kent, England. His mother, Phyllis, and father, Frederick, operated a local store.

Back in 2010, Forsyth shared that his initial enthusiasm for his profession was modest. “As a child,” he recounted, “I had a single grand aspiration. This desire stemmed from a memory I have as a 2-year-old, gazing up at what appeared to be silver fish dancing and spinning in the sky, leaving trails of white smoke. I was witnessing the Battle of Britain, and in my small infantile way, I dreamt of becoming a pilot.

Following education at Tonbridge School in Kent and the University of Granada in Spain, Forsyth’s dream came true at the age of 19 when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force. There, he took to the skies as a pilot of the de Havilland Vampire fighter jet.

After completing his pilot’s license, Forsyth embarked on a journey to explore the globe. Working as a correspondent first for Reuters and later for the BBC, he visited various places such as France, East Germany, and Nigeria.

Spending time in Nigeria culminated in him writing his initial book. Released in 1969, “The Biafra Story: The Creation of an African Legend” served as a narrative of the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War.

Among his other works are the novels “The Devil’s Alternative” from 1979, “The Negotiator” from 1989, “The Fist of God” from 1994, “Icon” (which was later adapted into a TV movie starring Patrick Swayze), “Avenger” (also made into a TV movie with Sam Elliott in the lead role), and “The Cobra” from 2010.

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Apart from these, he also wrote “The Devil’s Alternative” published in 1979, “The Negotiator” in 1989, “The Fist of God” in 1994, the novels “Icon” and “Avenger”, both of which were turned into TV movies starring Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott respectively, and “The Cobra” published in 2010.

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In addition to these, he penned down “The Devil’s Alternative” in 1979, “The Negotiator” in 1989, “The Fist of God” in 1994, the books “Icon” and “Avenger”, which later became TV movies featuring Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott respectively, and “The Cobra” in 2010.

Apart from his work in books, Forsyth also delved into the world of television. Most significantly, he wrote and hosted the 1989 London Weekend Television show titled Frederick Forsyth’s Showcase.

In 2010, he made his debut in theater by collaborating on the script for “Love Never Dies,” a sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera” with music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This production was inspired by his novel from 1999, “The Phantom of Manhattan.

1997 saw him bestowed with the title of Commander in the Order of the British Empire as a mark of respect for his significant work in literature. His personal account, titled “The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue“, was made available to the public in 2015.

Remaining are his sons, Stuart and Shane, who were born during his marriage with model Carol Cunningham between 1973 and 1988. His second spouse, Sandy, who he married in 1994, passed away in October.

A journalist should always refrain from becoming part of the establishment, even when the offers seem appealing. Our role is to scrutinize power, not align ourselves with it. In today’s world where there’s a growing infatuation with power, wealth, and celebrity, a journalist and a writer must maintain their distance, much like a bird perched on a wire, observing, documenting, questioning, commenting, but never participating. Essentially, we remain outsiders.

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2025-06-09 22:25