About Roderick Thorp
Lived 1936 – 1999 (aged 62). Roderick Thorp was an American writer, university teacher, novelist, actor and screenwriter.
Roderick Mayne Thorp Jr. (September 1, 1936 – April 28, 1999) was an American novelist specializing mainly in police procedurals and crime novels. His novel The Detective was adapted into a film of the same name in 1968. Thorp is also known for its sequel, the bestselling novel Nothing Lasts Forever, which later served as the basis for the film Die Hard. Thus Thorp became a creator of the entire media franchise of the same name. Two other Thorp novels, Rainbow Drive and Devlin, were also adapted into TV movies.
Early life Thorp was born in the Bronx, New York City.
Filmography The Detective (1968) (novel) Die Hard (1988) (novel) Rainbow Drive (1990) (book) Devlin (1992) (book) Deep Down (1994) (cast)
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Roderick Thorp?
American writer (1936–1999)
When was Roderick Thorp born?
Roderick Thorp was born on 1 September 1936 in The Bronx.
When did Roderick Thorp die?
Roderick Thorp died on 28 April 1999 in Oxnard.
What was Roderick Thorp's occupation?
Roderick Thorp was a writer, university teacher, novelist, actor and screenwriter.
What nationality was Roderick Thorp?
Roderick Thorp was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Roderick Thorp. https://biography.guide/roderick-thorp/
MLA: "Roderick Thorp." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/roderick-thorp/.
Chicago: "Roderick Thorp." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/roderick-thorp/.
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