Fresh Air Thomas Mallon
7 snips
Aug 15, 2025 
Thomas Mallon, a celebrated writer known for his historical novels, reflects on the haunting early years of the AIDS epidemic in Manhattan, sharing poignant excerpts from his journals. He discusses his latest novel, 'Up with the Sun,' inspired by the life and tragic murder of gay actor Dick Coleman. Mallon also contemplates the advancements in health since the '90s, and offers insights into aging and the comfort of nostalgia, weaving in the legacy of jazz singer Sheila Jordan and the vibrant cultural echoes of a past era.
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Obscure Actor Sparks A Novel
- Thomas Mallon discovered Dick Coleman from a 1965 sitcom and later found Coleman was murdered in 1980, which sparked his novel.
- Mallon researched clippings and interviewed people to reconstruct Coleman's life decades later.
Closeted Performance Culture
- Broadway felt like a possible haven but still forced many actors into secrecy and bearding in the 1950s and '60s.
- Gossip columnists and social norms made being openly gay professionally dangerous despite theatrical communities.
Diary Of Life During Early AIDS
- In the 1980s Mallon was a tenured academic who moved to Manhattan and began journaling during the AIDS crisis.
- He balanced early literary success with constant anxiety about contracting AIDS as friends fell ill and died.
