- Having had enormous success as a novelist through most of the 1960s, he wanted to move into films at a time when the film industry in Britain was booming. He co-produced two films with his friend Brian Duffy, the well-known photographer-Only When I Larf (1968), based on Deighton's novel, was a box-office failure, but Deighton hoped for better from their second film, Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), which he also scripted. However, he fell out markedly with the film's director, Richard Attenborough (who had starred in "Only When I Larf"). It was a subject close to Deighton's heart, and he was infuriated by Attenborough's extensive changing of his screenplay, changes that he claimed had softened the film, diluting the anger of his writing. As a result, he withdrew his credit as both writer and producer--the film has no writing credit at all. Deighton produced no more films.
- Is as famous for his cook books and his non-fiction as he is for his best-selling spy novels.
- Has written series about two different characters who go unnamed. The first series, also known as the "Harry Palmer" series (from the name given the character in the movies) comprises five books: "The Ipcress File" (1962), "Horse Under Water" (1963), "Funeral in Berlin" (1964), "Billion-Dollar Brain" (1966) and "An Expensive Place to Die" (1967). The second series, aka the "Patrick Armstrong" series (from an alias used by the character in one book), comprises "Spy Story" (1972), "Yesterday's Spy" (1975) and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Spy" (1976). The two series are distinguished by vastly different styles of plot, humor and characters, but because the hero is unnamed in both, and because the books feature some of the same secondary characters, they are often thought to star a single, continuous character. This was not helped by the publisher, which put photos of Michael Caine (as 'Harry Palmer') on the covers of all the books.
- Is an accomplished cook and gastronome, having made a name for himself in the 1960s with his quirky "cookstrips" that were carried by the "London Observer" newspaper.
- Left the United Kingdom in 1969, eventually settling in California. The writer has stated that he is unlikely to return to the UK and that he views it as a foreign place.
- Was born in a workhouse in Marylebone, London.
- Wrote "The Ipcress File" whilst on holiday and initially had no plans to have it published.
- For many years, the writer has effectively shunned any kind of publicity.
- Shared a basement flat in London with composer Ted Dicks for many years.
- Has been married twice. His first wife was the illustrator Shirley Thompson, whom he married in 1960. After more than five years of living apart, they were divorced in 1976. His second wife Ysabele was the daughter of a Dutch diplomat.
- Regarding the disagreement with Richard Attenborough, Len Deighton recently assumed some responsibility for their falling out. The writer admitted he could have been more patient with Attenborough, as it was the actor's first attempt at directing.
- Received an angry response from some R.A.F veterans, when the novel "Bomber" was published. Len Deighton claims he was slightly surprised by this.
- Lived in Merrick Square in London.
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