Biography

Was introduced to his wife by Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

After his right leg was amputated in February 2006 as the result of diabetes, he made the decision to accept the inevitability of his declining health over the prospect of dialysis for the rest of his life. As his kidneys started to fail, he entered a hospice in Washington. It was supposed to be a short stay--perhaps two or three weeks--his doctors said. As word of his condition emerged, however, Buchwald began playing host to scores of politicians and celebrities that he had known over his decades as a writer. Visitors included members of the Kennedy family, former CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, singer Carly Simon, former Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and television host Phil Donahue.

The New York Times wrote that Buchwald's deathbed had become the "hottest salon" in Washington.

With Alain Bernheim, he sued Paramount Pictures for using their concept for Coming to America (1988). They were awarded $900,000 in 1992, but the studio appealed. Buchwald and Bernheim eventually settled for $825,000 in 1999.

Wrote 45 books mostly lampooning American politicians, with some foreigners thrown in for good measure.

Even if the meek did inherit the earth, someone would contest the will.

I just don't want to die the same day [Fidel Castro] dies.

The question is not why you're going - it's what are you doing here in the first place?

I'm not a Republican, and I'm not a Democrat. I'm against whoever's in power. People talk about [Richard Nixon] and I say, "I worship the very quicksand he walks on."

My children have already planned my memorial service. It's going to be a beautiful ceremony. It could be a very hot ticket.