Jack Sharkey

John Michael Sharkey, who wrote as Jack Sharkey, was born in Chicago on May 6, 1931, and died in Laguna Hills, California, on September 28, 1992. He was an American writer known for both science fiction and theater, and sources consistently describe him as remarkably productive.

Alongside his short fiction, he published more than eighty plays, many of them under pen names. His science-fiction career began with stories in magazines such as Fantastic, and reference sources note that he produced a strong run of stories during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

That mix of stagecraft and speculative storytelling gives his work a lively, often playful feel. He remains of interest to readers who enjoy classic magazine-era science fiction as well as to theater fans who appreciate dependable, audience-friendly comedies.