Mitch Albom

Born May 23rd, 1958

He is an American best selling journalist, author, screenwriter, dramatist, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Having achieved national recognition for his sports writing in the earlier part of his career, he is perhaps best known for the inspirational stories and themes that weave through his books, plays and films. He is also well known for his philanthropic (giving) work in Detroit, Michigan, where he founded four charities.

Albom originally dreamed of becoming a professional piano player, he actually supported himself playing after college in NY, while he looked for work in journalism. 

He attended both Brandeis and Columbia University.  He eventually became an award winning sports writer, and lead sports columnist for the Detroit Free Press. However, his biggest success came when he learned that his favorite professor at Brandeis had developed ALS.

Albom visited his professor, Morrie Scwartz multiple times in Boston.  He later wrote a book about his visits, Tuesdays with Morrie. Albom paid Schwartz’s medical bills with the advance on the book. Little did he know the book would remain on the best seller’s list for 205 weeks, and launch him to fame.

He left sports writing and continued writing. First with The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2003), then For One More Day (2006), then Have a Little Faith (2009) and TheTimekeeper (2012). His books are known for their inspirational themes.