JEFF LENBURG is an award-winning author of celebrity, entertainment, and inspirational books that have entertained and inspired millions around the globe.
As an author, Jeff has penned 19 popular books, both fiction and non-fiction, that have been nominated for several awards, including the American Library Association's "Best Non-Fiction Award," Evangelical Christian Publisher Association's "Gold Medallion Award" for "Best Autobiography/Biography," and "Theatre Library Association Award,"and have been translated in numerous languages, including Indian, Italian, and German.
Amassing an impressive list of credits and a long line of success stories, his books include such popular-selling biographies as How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Voice Trying), with radio/TV legend Gary Owens; All The Gold In California and Other People, Places & Things, the inspiring autobiography of Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin; Peekaboo: The Story of Veronica Lake; Dudley Moore: An Informal Biography; Dustin Hoffman: Hollywood's Antihero; and Steve Martin: An Unauthorized Biography,
A leading expert on cartoon animation, Jeff has written seven books about the history of this lively art: Who's Who in Animated Cartoons, the first international guide to film and television's award-winning and legendary animators; three editions of The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons, the most comprehensive history on animated cartoons ever produced; The Great Cartoon Directors; and two editions of The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoon Series, the first reference book on animated cartoons ever written. For his work as an animation historian, Jeff was inducted into the "Cartoon Legends Walk of Fame" in Hollywood along with celebration cartoon icons Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera and Friz Freleng, and has served on the Advisory Board of the Cartoon Network.
Considered the foremost authority on the Three Stooges comedy team and a close friend of Stooges Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser and Joe DeRita, he co-authored two books about this wacky comedy trio: The Three Stooges Scrapbook, and Once A Stooge, Always A Stooge, the autobiography of Three Stooges member Joe Besser.
Recognized as a top researcher as well, Jeff is also the author of The Facts On File Guide to Research, a comprehensive guide to conducting research and writing. Recently he published his first novel, Scared to Death: A Lori Matrix Hollywood Mystery.
During his illustrious career, Jeff has interviewed dozens of other major personalities, world figures and headline-makers, including baseball Hall of Famers George Brett and Nolan Ryan, tennis star Chris Evert, former First Lady Betty Ford, and controversial and former New York policeman Frank Serpico. He has also appeared on more than 100 radio and television programs, namely "BBC Live," NBC's "Today Show," "Entertainment Tonight," CNN's "Showbiz Today," E!'s "Mysteries & Scandals," and many others.
As a producer and creative consultant, Jeff has lent his talents to a variety of top-rated network specials and documentaries, including "TV's Greatest Commercials, "Hollywood's Private Home Movies," "The Three Stooges: A Celebration," and "The Story of the Boys Republic."
In recognition of his achievements, Jeff is listed in such prominent references as "Contemporary Authors" and "Men of Achievement," and was awarded the "Journalism Alumnus of the Year Award" by his alma mater, Fullerton College. He makes his home near Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Debby.
