Who Is Michael Connelly? Age, Biography and Wiki
Michael Connelly, born on July 21, 1956, is an esteemed American author best known for his crime fiction and thrillers. With a career that spans decades, he has crafted a plethora of compelling stories, primarily focusing on the character of LAPD detective Harry Bosch. As of 2025, Connelly is 68 years old and continues to be a powerful figure in the literary world, garnering accolades for both his novels and adaptations, including successful TV series and films.
| Occupation | Novelist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 21, 1956 |
| Age | 69 Years |
| Birth Place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Michael Connelly's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing at approximately 6 feet tall, Michael Connelly maintains a healthy lifestyle that reflects his dedication to his craft and personal well-being. While specific weight and measurements are not publicly disclosed, his appearance suggests an active and balanced approach to fitness, which supports his demanding writing career.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Michael Connelly is married to his long-time partner, whom he has kept relatively private. The couple shares a strong bond built on mutual respect and a love for storytelling. While specific details about his family life remain guarded, Connelly often mentions the influence of his upbringing on his writing, emphasizing the importance of family values.
Michael Connelly, a property developer, and Mary Connelly, a homemaker. He is of Irish ancestry. According to Connelly, his father was a frustrated artist who encouraged his children to want to succeed in life and was a risk taker who alternated between success and failure in his pursuit of a career.
Connelly's mother was a fan of crime fiction and introduced her son to the world of mystery novels.
Net Worth and Salary
Michael Connelly's success as an author has significantly impacted his financial standing. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $30 million, primarily due to his bestselling novels, royalties from adaptations, and various media deals. Connelly's ability to captivate audiences has not only amassed him a dedicated readership but also lucrative contracts, boosting his earnings substantially.
Career, Business and Investments
Michael Connelly's illustrious career as an author began in 1992, with his debut novel "The Black Echo," which introduced readers to Harry Bosch. Since then, Connelly has released numerous bestsellers and received prestigious honors, including the Edgar Award. In 2025, he continues to produce gripping narratives while expanding his brand through television adaptations and movie productions, showcasing his stories in diverse formats. His investments in literary rights and new projects continue to bolster his economic portfolio.
After three years at the Los Angeles Times Connelly wrote his first published novel, The Black Echo (1992), after previously writing two unfinished novels that he did not attempt to get published. He sold The Black Echo to Little, Brown to be published in 1992 and won the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award for Best first Novel.
The book is partly based on a true crime and is the first one featuring Connelly's primary recurring character, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch, a man who, according to Connelly, shares few similarities with the author himself.
Connelly named Bosch after the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, known for his paintings full of sin and redemption, such as the painting Hell, a copy of which hangs on the office wall behind Connelly's computer. Connelly describes his own work as a big canvas with all the characters of his books floating across it as currents on a painting.
Sometimes they are bound to collide, creating cross currents. This is something that Connelly creates by bringing back characters from previous books and letting them play a part in books written five or six years after first being introduced.
Social Network
Michael Connelly maintains a presence on various social platforms, where he engages with his fans and promotes his work. He is active on Twitter and Instagram, where he shares insights into his writing process, upcoming releases, and personal anecdotes. His engaging online persona attracts a loyal following, allowing fans to connect with him beyond the pages of his novels.
In 1996 Connelly wrote The Poet, his first book not to feature Bosch. Instead the protagonist was reporter Jack McEvoy. The book was a success. In 1997 Connelly returned to Bosch in Trunk Music before writing another book, Blood Work (1997), about a different character, FBI agent Terry McCaleb.
Blood Work was made into a film in 2002, directed by Clint Eastwood, who also played McCaleb, an agent with a transplanted heart in pursuit of his donor's murderer. The book came together after one of Connelly's friends had a heart transplant and he saw what his friend was going through with survivor's guilt after the surgery.
When asked if he had anything against the changes made to fit the big screen, Connelly simply replied: "If you take their money, it's their turn to tell the story."
Education
Connelly attended California State University, Fresno, where he earned a degree in journalism. His educational background laid the foundation for his career in writing, enabling him to craft compelling narratives filled with authenticity and depth. This foundation in journalism has played a pivotal role in the realistic portrayal of crime and justice in his works, contributing to his reputation as a master storyteller.
* In the Shadow of the Master (2009) – collected short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, with observations by current mystery writers including Sue Grafton and Stephen King.
