Gerald Robert Walker[1] (April 16, 1928 – February 19, 2004)[2] was an American magazine editor for The New York Times Magazine who was known for writing the 1970 novel Cruising, which was adapted into a controversial 1980 film of the same name directed by William Friedkin and starring Al Pacino.[3] [4]
Walker was born on April 16, 1928.[1] [2] [5] He graduated from New York University and earned a Master of Fine Arts in theatre at Columbia University.[1] [2]
Walker worked as an articles editor for The New York Times Magazine from 1963 to 1990.[1] [2] [3] [4] Walker also compiled an annual anthology titled Best Magazine Articles from 1965 to 1967.[2] [3] At the time of his death, Walker was completing a mystery novel titled Witnesses.[1] [2] [4] [5]
Walker was married to Greta Markson, with whom he had a son, David, but their marriage ended in divorce.[1] [2] From 1976 to the time of his death, Walker was married to Joanna Simon.[1] [2]
On February 19, 2004, Walker died of stroke complications at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.[1] [2] [3] [4]