Authors

Hannah Storm Net Worth

Hannah Lynn Storen Hicks (born June 13, 1962), known professionally as Hannah Storm, is an American television sports journalist, serving as the anchor of ESPN’s SportsCenter. She is a pioneer in the field of sports broadcasting for women. Storm began her career in radio and transitioned to television, becoming the first female sports anchor on CNN. She later joined NBC Sports, where she was the first woman to solo host a network’s sports package, covering Major League Baseball. She has covered numerous major sporting events, including the Olympics, NBA Finals, and World Series. In 2018, she and Andrea Kremer became the first female duo to call an NFL game. Storm is also an advocate for children suffering from vascular birthmarks, founding the Hannah Storm Foundation to raise awareness and provide treatment. She has also worked for ABC News and co-hosted The Early Show on CBS.

James Brown Net Worth

James Brown, often known as “JB,” is a highly respected American sportscaster. Born on February 25, 1951, in Washington, D.C., he graduated from Harvard University. Brown’s broadcasting career began after a stint as a professional basketball player and roles at Xerox and Eastman Kodak. He gained prominence at CBS Sports in 1984 and later hosted “Fox NFL Sunday” from 1994 to 2005. Since 2006, he has been the primary studio host for “The NFL Today” on CBS. Brown is known for his authoritative and warm presence, covering major sporting events and addressing social issues affecting sports. He has earned numerous awards, including three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Host, and is also a Special Correspondent for CBS News. Beyond broadcasting, Brown is involved in charitable organizations and is an ordained minister.

Peter Hook Net Worth

Peter Hook, born Peter Woodhead on February 13, 1956, is an English musician renowned as the bassist and co-founder of the iconic post-punk band Joy Division and its successor, New Order. His distinctive bass playing style, characterized by melodic lines played high on the strings with a heavy chorus effect, set him apart. Hook’s musical journey began in the mid-1970s when he formed a band with Bernard Sumner, which would later become Joy Division. Following the tragic death of lead singer Ian Curtis in 1980, the band reformed as New Order, achieving considerable success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Besides his work with Joy Division and New Order, Hook has also been involved in other musical projects such as Revenge and Monaco. He is also an author, having penned books about his experiences in Joy Division and New Order. In recent years, Hook has toured and performed the music of Joy Division and New Order with his band Peter Hook and The Light.

Alton Brown Net Worth

Alton Brown is an American celebrity chef, author, actor, and television personality. He is best known for creating and hosting the Food Network’s ‘Good Eats,’ where he combined cooking with science, humor, and unconventional approaches. Brown has also served as a commentator on ‘Iron Chef America’ and ‘The Next Iron Chef,’ showcasing his extensive culinary knowledge and witty commentary. Beyond television, he is an accomplished author, known for his cookbooks that delve into the science of cooking. He graduated from the New England Culinary Institute in 1997. He dislikes single-purpose utensils and equipment that he calls unitaskers in the kitchen. He launched “Alton Brown Live: The Edible Inevitable Tour” in 2013. Bon Appetit magazine named him “Cooking Teacher of the Year” in 2004 and he won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best TV Food Personality in 2011.

Judy Woodruff Net Worth

Judy Carline Woodruff is an American broadcast journalist who has been a prominent figure in television news since 1970. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1946, she grew up as an ‘army brat’, moving frequently during her childhood. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in political science and began her career at a CBS affiliate in Atlanta, later becoming a White House correspondent for NBC News. Woodruff’s career includes significant roles at CNN, where she anchored ‘Inside Politics’ for 12 years, and PBS, where she was the chief Washington correspondent for ‘The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour’. Most notably, she served as the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour until the end of 2022. Woodruff has covered every presidential election and convention since 1976, interviewed numerous heads of state, and moderated U.S. presidential debates. She is a founding co-chair of the International Women’s Media Foundation and has served on various boards, including the Freedom Forum and the Duke Endowment. Judy Woodruff has also authored the book ‘This Is Judy Woodruff at the White House’.

Lebanon Levi Net Worth

Levi King Stoltzfus, also known as Lebanon Levi, is an American reality television personality and author. He gained fame as the star of Discovery Channel’s ‘Amish Mafia,’ a show that aired from 2012 to 2014. The show portrayed him as the head of an Amish enforcement group in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Despite the controversies surrounding the show’s authenticity, it garnered significant attention, making Levi a well-known figure. He was raised in an Old Order Amish community, speaking Pennsylvania Dutch. Levi claims he was never baptized into the Amish church, which allowed him more freedom to speak about the closed society. In 2015, he published ‘Amish Confidential,’ a New York Times bestseller where he shares his personal life story and insights into the Amish community. He is also a volunteer firefighter and a contractor.

Lou Holtz Net Worth

Louis Leo “Lou” Holtz, born on January 6, 1937, is a retired American college football coach, television analyst, and motivational speaker. He is widely recognized for his successful coaching career, particularly his time at the University of Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988. Holtz is the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only one to have four different programs finish in the top 20 rankings. He coached at The College of William & Mary, North Carolina State University, the New York Jets, the University of Arkansas, the University of Minnesota, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of South Carolina, compiling a career college head coaching record of 249–132–7. After retiring from coaching in 2004, Holtz became a college football analyst for ESPN until 2015. Known for his quick wit and motivational speaking, Holtz has authored several books on leadership and success. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Vince Russo Net Worth

Vincent James Russo, born on January 24, 1961, is an American professional wrestling writer, booker, and pundit. He’s widely recognized for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in various creative roles. Occasionally, he also appeared on-screen as an authority figure and even as a professional wrestler in WCW and TNA. Russo’s writing style is often characterized by blurring the lines between reality and fiction, favoring shock twists, grand moments, and larger-than-life characters. This approach made him a controversial figure among wrestling fans. During the WWF’s Attitude Era, Russo was part of the creative team that helped the company achieve record-high television ratings. In WCW, he even booked himself as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, securing televised victories over wrestling legends Ric Flair and Booker T.

Deborah Norville Net Worth

Deborah Anne Norville, born on August 8, 1958, is an accomplished American television journalist, businesswoman, and author. She has been the anchor of Inside Edition since March 6, 1995, a syndicated television news magazine. Prior to Inside Edition, Norville held prominent positions at major networks, including CBS News and NBC’s Today. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, she began her career at WAGA-TV in Atlanta. Beyond her television career, Norville has authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller ‘Thank You Power.’ She also launched the Deborah Norville Collection, a line of knit and crochet yarns. In addition to her professional achievements, Norville has served on the board of directors for Viacom and is involved in various charitable organizations. Her career has spanned over three decades, marking her as one of the longest-serving female broadcasters in the industry. She is married to Karl Gert Wellner, with whom she has three children.

Martin Luther King Jr. Net Worth

Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through the use of nonviolent resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience against Jim Crow laws and other forms of legalized discrimination. King was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. He was elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, the organization which was responsible for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956 (381 days). He was a founder and president of Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1957 to 1968. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. He continues to be remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational Black leaders in history.

Hamish Linklater Net Worth

Hamish Linklater is an American actor and playwright. Born on July 7, 1976, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to Kristin Linklater, a renowned vocal coach and professor of theatre, Hamish was immersed in the world of arts from a young age. He is known for playing Matthew Kimble in ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’, Andrew Keanelly in ‘The Crazy Ones’, and Clark Debussy in ‘Legion’. In 2021, he garnered critical acclaim for his role as Father Paul in the Netflix horror miniseries ‘Midnight Mass’. Linklater’s career spans across television, film, and theatre. He has appeared in films including ‘Fantastic Four’ and ‘The Big Short’, for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 2016. His television credits also include ‘American Dreams’ and ‘Gideon’s Crossing’. He began his acting career in small Shakespearean roles when he was eight years old and even auditioned for the role of Jim Halpert in ‘The Office’. Linklater was married to Jessica Goldberg from 2002 to 2012 and is currently in a relationship with actress Lily Rabe, with whom he has three children. An interesting fact about Hamish is that he is an avid gardener.

David Brenner Net Worth

David Brenner (1936-2014) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, director, and producer. He gained prominence as a frequent guest on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ making over 150 appearances. Brenner began his career in television, writing, producing, and directing over 100 documentaries, earning an Emmy for his work. In 1969, he transitioned to comedy, performing at The Improv and various clubs in Greenwich Village. Besides his stand-up career, Brenner starred in four HBO comedy specials and released comedy albums. He also authored several books, including ‘Soft Pretzels With Mustard’ and ‘I Think There’s a Terrorist in My Soup.’ David Brenner was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003 and was ranked among Comedy Central’s ‘100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.’ He died of pancreatic cancer in 2014, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of observational comedy.

Mariah Carey Net Worth

Mariah Carey, born on March 27, 1969, in Huntington, New York, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, and businesswoman. Known as the “Songbird Supreme” and the “Queen of Christmas,” she is celebrated for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style, and signature use of the whistle register. Carey rose to fame with her debut album in 1990 and has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 200 million records sold worldwide. She has achieved 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, the most for any solo artist. Beyond her music career, Carey has appeared in films such as “Precious” and “The Butler,” served as a judge on “American Idol,” and released a memoir titled “The Meaning of Mariah Carey.” She is also known for her endorsements and entrepreneurial ventures, including fragrance lines, a nail polish line, and collaborations with brands like McDonald’s and Pepsi. Carey’s impact on music and popular culture has solidified her status as a global icon.

Gary Gygax Net Worth

Ernest Gary Gygax (1938-2008) was an American game designer and author. He is best known for co-creating the pioneering tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) with Dave Arneson in 1974. Gygax’s love of games and an appreciation for fantasy and science fiction literature led him to create an organization of wargaming clubs and found the Gen Con tabletop game convention. In 1973, he co-founded the company TSR (originally Tactical Studies Rules) with Don Kaye. The next year, TSR published D&D. In 1976, he founded The Dragon, a magazine based around the new game. In 1977, he began developing a more comprehensive version of the game called Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. He left TSR in 1986 but continued to create role-playing game titles independently, beginning with the multi-genre Dangerous Journeys in 1992. Gary Gygax passed away on March 4, 2008, at the age of 69.

Lisa Loeb Net Worth

Lisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, actress, and entrepreneur. She gained prominence with her hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the film ‘Reality Bites,’ which notably made her the first artist to have a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart without being signed to a recording contract. Since then, she has released several albums, including two certified gold, and has ventured into children’s music, winning a Grammy Award for her album ‘Feel What U Feel’. Beyond her musical career, Loeb has appeared in various films and television shows, hosts a SiriusXM radio show, and designs her own line of eyewear, showcasing her diverse talents and entrepreneurial spirit. She is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly through The Camp Lisa Foundation, which supports underprivileged children attending summer camp.

Ledisi Net Worth

Ledisi Anibade Young, better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 28, 1972, she began singing in the church choir at a young age and was raised in Oakland, California. Her career spans over two decades, during which she has released multiple albums and received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2021. Ledisi’s music blends jazz, blues, soul, funk, gospel, and hip hop. She is known for her powerful and emotive voice and has collaborated with various artists across genres. Beyond her music career, Ledisi has also ventured into acting, portraying Mahalia Jackson in films like ‘Selma’ and ‘Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story,’ and appearing in other film and television projects. She is an advocate for the arts, a professor at Berklee College of Music, and is involved in philanthropic efforts.

Craig Melvin Net Worth

Craig Delano Melvin, born on May 20, 1979, is an accomplished American broadcast journalist and anchor. He has become a familiar face on NBC News and MSNBC, solidifying his presence in the industry. Melvin’s career trajectory includes being a news anchor on NBC’s Today show from August 2018 to January 2025. In January 2025, he became a co-anchor for the first and second hours of Today. He also serves as a fill-in anchor for NBC Nightly News. Prior to his national roles, Melvin worked at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, and WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. He has covered numerous significant events, including the Sandy Hook shootings, the George Zimmerman trial, and the Summer Olympics. In November 2024, he took over Hoda Kotb’s position as co-anchor on the Today show, further cementing his prominent role in broadcast journalism. He is married to sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak, and they have two children.

Tony Joe White Net Worth

Tony Joe White (July 23, 1943 – October 24, 2018), nicknamed the Swamp Fox, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit “Polk Salad Annie” and for “Rainy Night in Georgia”, which he wrote but which was first made popular by Brook Benton in 1970. He also wrote “Steamy Windows” and “Undercover Agent for the Blues”, both hits for Tina Turner in 1989. White was born and raised on a cotton farm in Goodwill, Louisiana. His music career began as a member of Tony & the Mojos before he moved to Texas to start Tony & the Twilights. He signed with Monument Records in 1967. His unique “swamp rock” sound, blending blues, country, and rock, has left an indelible mark on the music industry. He passed away on October 24, 2018, in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee.

Gregory Alan Williams Net Worth

Gregory Alan Williams is an American actor and author. Born on June 12, 1956, in Des Moines, Iowa, he served in the United States Marine Corps before embarking on his acting career. He is widely recognized for his role as LAPD Officer Garner Ellerbee in the television series Baywatch and Baywatch Nights (1989-1998). Williams made his debut in the movie Above the Law (1988). Beyond acting, Williams is an author and has written four books, including ‘A Gathering of Heroes: Reflections on Rage and Responsibility: A Memoir of the Los Angeles Riots,’ chronicling his experiences with racism and his act of saving a Japanese American man during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He was the first recipient of the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice for this heroic act. He also starred as Coach Pat Purnell in the series Necessary Roughness (2011-2013) and has had recurring roles in series such as Drop Dead Diva and Greenleaf.

Syd Barrett Net Worth

Roger Keith “Syd” Barrett (1946-2006) was an English singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as a co-founder of the rock band Pink Floyd. He was the band’s original frontman and primary songwriter, noted for his whimsical, psychedelic style. As a guitarist, Barrett was known for his free-form playing, incorporating dissonance, distortion, echo, and feedback. Trained as a painter, his musical career spanned less than a decade. With Pink Floyd, Barrett recorded four singles, their debut album ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, and parts of their second album. In 1968, he was ousted from the band due to mental health issues. Barrett embarked on a brief solo career, releasing albums like ‘The Madcap Laughs’ and ‘Barrett’, before retiring from public life in 1972. He spent his later years painting and gardening, remaining a reclusive figure until his death from pancreatic cancer.

Scott Aukerman Net Worth

Scott Aukerman is an American writer, producer, actor, comedian, director, and podcast host. He is best known for hosting the weekly comedy podcast ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’. Aukerman started off as a writer and performer for the sketch series ‘Mr. Show’. Besides his work on ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’, he is also known for co-creating ‘Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis’ and co-founding the Earwolf podcast network, contributing significantly to the podcasting world. He also created a show that is also called ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’.

Bret Easton Ellis Net Worth

Bret Easton Ellis, born on March 7, 1964, is an American author, screenwriter, and podcaster. He is known for his novels exploring themes of nihilism, excess, and moral decay in affluent American society. His debut novel, *Less Than Zero* (1985), published when he was 21, established him as a voice of Generation X. However, his most controversial and widely discussed work is *American Psycho* (1991), which garnered significant backlash for its graphic violence. Ellis’s other notable works include *The Rules of Attraction*, *Glamorama*, *Lunar Park*, *Imperial Bedrooms*, and *The Shards*. He also hosts *The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast*, where he discusses film, music, and culture. Ellis attended Bennington College and was part of the ‘Literary Brat Pack’ in the 1980s. He is considered a satirist, using extreme acts and opinions expressed in an affectless style in his writings.

David Niven Net Worth

James David Graham Niven (1910-1983) was an English actor, soldier, raconteur, memoirist, and novelist. He was known for his debonair leading man roles in classic Hollywood films. Niven attended Heatherdown Preparatory School and Stowe School before attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Bored with army life, he resigned his commission and moved to Hollywood to pursue acting. He started as an extra before gaining a contract and larger roles. Niven’s career flourished in the 1940s and 1950s. His performance in Separate Tables (1958) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award. He also won a Golden Globe for The Moon Is Blue. Other notable films include Around the World in 80 Days and The Pink Panther. Besides acting, Niven was also a successful author. His memoir, The Moon’s a Balloon, became a bestseller. Niven served in the British Army during World War II, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He appeared in nearly a hundred films and numerous television shows.

Eddie Lee Long Net Worth

Eddie Lee Long (1953-2017) was an American pastor, best known as the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, from 1987 until his death. Under his leadership, the church grew from 300 members to over 25,000. Long received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center. He also held a PhD in Pastoral Ministry from the International College of Excellence. Long was a prolific author, penning several books including ‘I Don’t Want Delilah, I Need You,’ and ‘What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs’. He was also involved in several controversies, including a Senate investigation into his church’s tax-exempt status and civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, which were settled out of court. He passed away in January 2017 at the age of 63.

Cynthia Weil Net Worth

Cynthia Weil (October 18, 1940 – June 1, 2023) was an American songwriter, primarily a lyricist, who with her husband Barry Mann, created numerous pop hits. Weil began her career at Aldon Music, becoming one of the most important writers during the emergence of rock and roll. Weil and Mann wrote songs for many artists and won Grammy Awards and Academy Award nominations. Weil was known for writing meaningful lyrics, combined with Mann’s musical ability. Together, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Some of their famous songs include “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” the most played song of the 20th century, “On Broadway,” and “Somewhere Out There.” In her later years, Weil also became a successful author of young adult novels. She passed away in June 2023, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential lyricists in pop music history.

Cherie Johnson Net Worth

Cherie Johnson, born on November 21, 1975, is an American actress, writer, film producer, and author. She began her acting career at a young age, encouraged by her uncle, David W. Duclon, a successful screenwriter and TV producer. Johnson gained recognition for her role as Punky’s best friend, Cherie, on ‘Punky Brewster’ and later as Maxine Johnson on ‘Family Matters,’ where she played Laura Winslow’s best friend for eight seasons. Beyond acting, Johnson is an accomplished writer, having published novels, poetry, and diary entries. She has also worked as an executive director for Dimez Magazine and contributed to other publications. In 2009, she wrote, starred in, and produced the independent film ‘I Do… I Did!’. Cherie Johnson continues to be active in the entertainment industry, showcasing her versatility and entrepreneurial spirit.

Voletta Wallace Net Worth

Voletta Wallace, born on February 3, 1953, in Trelawny, Jamaica, was best known as the mother of the legendary rapper Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G. She moved from Jamaica to Brooklyn, New York, where she raised her son as a single mother, working as a preschool teacher. After Biggie’s tragic death in 1997, Voletta dedicated her life to preserving and expanding his legacy. She took control of his estate, growing it from an estimated $10 million to approximately $160 million through strategic management of music royalties, licensing agreements, and merchandise sales. Voletta co-produced the 2009 biographical film “Notorious,” which chronicled her son’s life and career. She also authored a memoir in 2005 titled “Biggie: Voletta Wallace Remembers Her Son, Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G.” Additionally, she founded the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, focusing on educational initiatives and community outreach programs. Voletta Wallace passed away on February 21, 2025, in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, leaving behind a lasting impact on hip-hop culture and a powerful legacy of maternal devotion.

Tracy Letts Net Worth

Tracy Letts is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. Born on July 4, 1965, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to author Billie Letts and college professor and actor Dennis Letts, he was raised in Durant, Oklahoma. He began his career at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago before making his Broadway debut as a playwright with “August: Osage County” in 2007, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. As a playwright, Letts is known for his work with the Steppenwolf Theatre, Off-Broadway, and Broadway. He has written numerous notable plays, including “Killer Joe,” “Superior Donuts,” and “The Minutes.” He has also acted in plays such as “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 2013. In film and television, he is known for his roles in “Homeland” and “Divorce,” as well as films like “Lady Bird,” “Ford v Ferrari,” and “Little Women.” Letts is married to actress Carrie Coon, and they have two children. He remains an active member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.

Sam Harris Net Worth

Samuel Benjamin Harris (born April 9, 1967) is an American philosopher, neuroscientist, author, and podcast host. His work touches on a range of topics, including rationality, religion, ethics, free will, neuroscience, meditation, psychedelics, philosophy of mind, politics, terrorism, and artificial intelligence. Harris came to prominence for his criticism of religion, and he is known as one of the “Four Horsemen” of New Atheism, along with Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett. He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including ‘The End of Faith,’ ‘Letter to a Christian Nation,’ ‘The Moral Landscape,’ ‘Free Will,’ ‘Lying,’ and ‘Waking Up.’ Harris also hosts the ‘Making Sense’ podcast and has created the ‘Waking Up’ meditation app. He received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. Harris has also practiced meditation for more than 30 years and has studied with many meditation teachers.

Homer Hadley Hickam Jr. Net Worth

Homer Hadley Hickam Jr., born on February 19, 1943, is an American author, Vietnam War veteran, and former NASA engineer. He is best known for his memoir “Rocket Boys,” which was later adapted into the film “October Sky.” Hickam’s journey began in Coalwood, West Virginia, where he was inspired by the launch of Sputnik to pursue rocketry. Despite his father’s expectations for him to work in the coal mines, Hickam and his friends formed the ‘Big Creek Missile Agency’ and began experimenting with building rockets. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Hickam served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal. Following his military service, he worked as an engineer for the U.S. Army Missile Command before joining NASA in 1981. At NASA, Hickam trained astronauts and worked on various missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope deployment and repair missions. He retired from NASA in 1998 to pursue his writing career full-time. Hickam has written several best-selling books, including the Coalwood series and the Josh Thurlow series.