Hyams, Joe
(June 6, 1923 - Nov. 8, 2008)
Joe Hyams, Best Selling Author, Hollywood Columnist and martial artist dies at 85

Obituary Mr. Hyams passed away in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, November 8, 2008 of coronary artery disease. He was a writer and journalist with an international reputation. His by-line appeared in major magazines and newspapers in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Born in Cambridge, MA, Mr. Hyams attended Harvard until joining the army in 1942, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service. He eventually became a war correspondent, sending his stories to reporters to be included in "Stars and Stripes." After the war he completed his education at New York University. In the late 1940's he started working for The New York Herald Tribune, becoming one of the most widely syndicated columnists for more than 15 years, writing about Hollywood. He authored many best selling books such as "Bogie," the biography of Humphrey Bogart, "The Flight of the Avenger," the wartime adventures of George Bush, and "Little Boy Lost," the biography of James Dean. He wrote the book "Accomplices to the Crime" the book that the movie "Brubaker" was based on. He will best be remembered by most for his book "Zen in the Martial Arts," a small book with a huge impact. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, two sons, Jay and Chris, two daughters, Beverly and Dianne, two step daughters, Kara and Charisse and 5 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in his name to Guide Dogs of America at http://guidedogsofamerica.org/in_memory.html .

Please select from the following ... Contract All | Expand All a note from Lisa Hyams Yesterday I said good bye to the love of my life. Joe passed on last night with me, his sons and daughter, my daughters and his granddaughter by his side. He tried his best to overcome the illness that began nearly a month ago but it was not to be so. He touched all of us so much and I am certain that we are all better for it. You always knew where you stood with Joe, sometimes not where you wanted to. He had a great sense of humor and a love of life. We will all miss him. Most of you know, but for those that don't, Joe did not want a funeral, instead he wanted to have everyone to The Empress Pavilion in Los Angeles for Dim Sum. I have not made the arrangements yet. As soon as I have a date set I will let you know. I don't know how I will go on without him. He was the love of my life and I will miss him terribly. I will say that Joe lived his life to the fullest until the day he became ill and went into the hospital. There was not a day that he was not feeling great. He experienced an acute failure that affected him dramatically immediately. He did not have a heart attack. His heart just stopped functioning properly immediately. The way he would have wanted it. No drawn out illness for him. He never would have accepted anything like that. With love and respect, Lisa Hyams Biography Married actress Elke Sommer (1964 - 1993) (divorced) Studied martial arts under celebrated masters Ed Parker and Bruce Lee, accounted in his book "Zen in the Martial Arts" (New York: Putnam Publishing Group, 1986). Actor: 1. Love in a Goldfish Bowl (1961) 2. Pepe (1960) (uncredited) .... Charro 3. The Wild and the Innocent (1959) (uncredited) .... Rival Barker 4. The Lost Missile (1958) .... Young, a reporter 5. "The Seven Lively Arts" .... Interviewer / ... (1 episode, 1957) - Hollywood Around the World (1957) TV episode .... Narrator/Interviewer Writer: 1. Brubaker (1980) (book) 2. Bogie (1980) (TV) (novel) 3. "Quincy M.E." (1 episode, 1977) ... aka Quincy (International: English title: informal title) - Touch of Death (1977) TV episode (writer) 4. "The Seven Lively Arts" (1 episode, 1957) - Hollywood Around the World (1957) TV episode (script) Miscellaneous Crew: 1. Bogie (1980) (TV) (technical advisor) Thanks: * 2000s * 1990s 1. Mystic River: Beneath the Surface (2004) (V) (special thanks: Malpaso Productions) 2. "American Masters" (thanks) (1 episode, 2000) - Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows (2000) TV episode (thanks) 3. Space Cowboys (2000) (special thanks) 4. Hell Hath No Fury (1999) (V) (special thanks) ... aka Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' (USA: DVD box title) 5. Eastwood & Co.: Making 'Unforgiven' (1992) (TV) (thanks) Self: 1. "Revealed" .... Himself (1 episode, 2003) - Who Killed Marilyn Monroe? (2003) TV episode .... Himself 2. Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood (2001) (TV) .... Himself - Co-Author 'My Life with Cleopatra' 3. "American Masters" .... Himself - Senior V.P. Publicity Warner Bros. (1 episode, 2000) - Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows (2000) TV episode .... Himself - Senior V.P. Publicity Warner Bros. 4. The Fear of God: 25 Years of 'The Exorcist' (1998) (TV) .... Himself - Publicist 5. Humphrey Bogart: You Must Remember This... (1997) (TV) .... Himself 6. Humphrey Bogart: Behind the Legend (1995) .... Himself 7. "The Hollywood Greats" .... Himself / ... (3 episodes, 1977) ... aka Hollywood Greats (USA: new title) - Humphrey Bogart (1977) TV episode .... Himself - Gary Cooper (1977) TV episode .... Himself - Errol Flynn (1977) TV episode .... Himself - Interviewee 8. "The Mike Douglas Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1967) - Episode dated 2 May 1967 (1967) TV episode .... Himself 9. "Guest Shot" (1962) TV series .... Himself 10. Teacher's Pet (1958) (uncredited) .... Himself Books by Joe Hyams Joe Hyams wrote 26 books, many of which were published in both hardcover and mass-market paperback. Four of them were martial arts books, including Chuck Norris' first autobiography, "The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story, in 1988. His seminal book, "Zen in the Martial Arts," first published in 1979, sold an extraordinary 2-million copies in 17 languages. In "Zen in the Martial Arts," vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee. Seminal book: Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams (J.P. Tarcher: 1979; Putnam: Mass Market Paperback - Jun 1, 1982) Under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyams reveals to you how the daily application of Zen principles not only developed his physical expertise but gave him the mental discipline to control his personal problems-self-image, work pressure, competition. Indeed, mastering the spiritual goals in martial arts can dramatically alter the quality of your life-enriching your relationships with people, as well as helping you make use of all your abilities. The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story by Chuck Norris and Joe Hyams (Paperback - Feb 1989) The Journey: The Oral Histories of 24 of the Most Proficient American Kenpoists of Today by Joe Hyams and Tom Bleecker (Paperback - Aug 2001) Playboy's book of practical self-defense by Joe Hyams (Unknown Binding - 1981) James Dean: Little Boy Lost by Joe Hyams (Paperback - Nov 2, 1994) How to dress for success by Edith Head Joe Hyams (Hardcover - 1967) My Life With Cleopatra by Walter Wanger & Joe Hyams (Paperback - 1963) Bogie The Biography of Humphrey Bogart by Joe (Lauren Bacall, Intro) Hyams and 67 B/W Photos (Hardcover - 1966) Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal by Tom Murton and Joe Hyams (Hardcover - 1969) Bogart & Bacall: A love story by Joe Hyams (Unknown Binding - 1975) A field of buttercups by Joe Hyams (Unknown Binding - 1969) FLIGHT OF THE AVENGER GEORGE BUSH AT WAR by Joe Hyams and Photos (Hardcover - 1991) Michael Reagan on the Outside looking in by Michael Reagan with Joe Hyams and Illustrated with Photos (Hardcover - 1988) Mislaid In Hollywood; The Autobiography Of A Slightly Reformed Columnist By JOE HYAMS (Hardcover - Jan 1, 1973) Murder at the Academy Awards: A Novel by Joe Hyams (Hardcover - Mar 1983) The Pool by Joe Hyams (Hardcover - Nov 1, 1978) Secrets of Winning Tennis by Billie Jean King and Joe Hyams (Paperback - Oct 1975) WINNING TACTICS FOR WEEKEND TENNIS by Tony Trabert with Joe Hyams (Mass Market Paperback - 1973) The Life and Times of the Western Movie by Joe Hyams (Paperback - Oct 1983) - Add your comment here ... 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Comments I'm greatly indebted to Joe Hyams for 28 years of steady guidance and education as my main writing mentor. Joe, you made a huge difference in my life and in my career and I thank you deeply for taking me under your wing back in 1980. I'll be dearly missing you, but you'll never be forgotten. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family, with a very volatile, alcoholic father. So Joe Hyams also became a father-figure to me. One of the early life-skill lessons he taught me was, "It's easier to make a friend than an enemy." John Corcoran It is with a sadden heart that all of us heard of the passing of Joe Hyams. Joe Hyams was an icon for the martial arts community. He was not only an inspiration to the arts, but he inspired the lives of all those he touched. He became a driving force in opening the doors of the martial arts to the Western World. In 2005, he was bestowed with the highest honor in the Martial Arts History Museum, the Funakoshi Award. His books and writings went beyond the martial arts world including such topics as Humphrey Bogart, George Bush, Michael Reagan and more. Finally, he was a mentor to so many that all of us will miss him greatly. Our prayers go to his family and close friends. Michael Matsuda, president, Martial Arts History Museum My heart felt prayers go out to the Hyams family, I had the great opportunity to get Joe"s autograph and share a few brief moments with him at Master Fariborz exam last year, he was very gracious and kind. God Bless him he will be missed. Master Dan Anderson we are all indebted to you,for the education and guidance you provided for all martial artist around the world.we will miss you sir. rest in peace reza ghasry My Sincere Condolences to the Hyams Family on your sad loss. Reading Mr Hyams "Zen in the Martial Arts" was very inspirational in my own Martial Arts career and I must have read it dozens of times over the years. I feel as though we were something of "family" in that Mr Hyams trained with my Sisuk, Bruce Lee and my Wing Chun "cousin", Sifu Jim Lau, both of whom trained with my late Sifu, Wong Shun Leung. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and I hope that Mr Hyams will always be remembered for his uplifting, thought provoking and inspirational writings. RIP David Peterson "Melbourne Chinese Martial Arts Club, Australia. David Peterson Joe was my inspiration and rolemodel. He was one of the most True Martial Artists I have ever met. I hope he will rest in peace in his Martial Arts heaven. Me and my family will never forget him. Bo Munthe Mr. Hyams was a martial arts great and a fantastic writer. His contributions to martial arts and martial artists will be remembered for ever. My sympathy and best wishes go to his family and close friends. Farshad Azad Although I did not know Joe personally, I"m glad that the world was able to enjoy such a gift. Roger Boggs My condolences on the passing of Joe Hyams. Truly a Martial Arts legend and fantastic author. He will be missed by all. Chad Hamblin La Asociacin de Ligas de Cinturones Negros de Venezuela (ALCNV EDV) se une al duelo del Maestro GRANDMASTER JOE HYAMS desde caracas Venezuela, lamentamos mucho el haber perdido a tan excelente maestro leyenda de artes marciales de todo loa tiempos mis mas sentidas condolencias.GRANDMASTER LIC. CARLOS A.GUACHE DIAZ y Flia. ALCNV-EDV Grandmaster Lic. Carlos A. Guache I met Joe at Bong Soo Han"s funeral last year. I was amazed at his vitality. After reading Zen and the Martial Arts, I was greatly impressed at all of Joe"s insights into life and people. We have all lost a good mentor and a great friend. My condolences to Joe"s family. Nobody will every fill his shoes. What a great legacy! May we all try to walk a little slower, and become a little more observant. Jack Stern Mr. Hyams" book alone, "Zen In The Martial Arts," would be a major contribution. But reading his bio makes me realize what a huge impact he had on us all. And continues to have. It was a great honor to meet him, and though he will be missed, his presence is felt. All best wishes to his family. Bill Null This is perhaps one of the best books written in the Martial Arts. I recommend Zen In The Martial Arts to all my teen/adult students. It gives the best perspective about life inside a martial art school. I have great respect for Joe and his work, and he will truly be missed. His legacy will live on as new generations of martial artists are introduced to his book. He did the entire industry a great favor by lending this incredible perspective on how life inside a MA school can effect our daily lives. He also highlighted the many benefits we receive from our training. All the best to his family and friends, we express our condolensces. American Hapkido Federation Frank Ehnle I met Joe when he was staying with Jeremy Thomas, and had come visiting to Hawkley in Hampshire (England)around 1975. He made a profound impression on me - then aged 25, and prompted an interest in Zen buddhism. When I visited LA a year later, I met with him at Elke"s and his house. I was also visiting the LA Zen centre downtown and immersing myself in the subject. Looking back, and reading the obituaries on him, I realise that many people were also drawn to his calmness, very strong sense of himself and his capacity to understand without judgement other people"s lives and their complexities. I am grateful for that moment in time, and for happening across him. I suspect his family miss him dreadfully, and I send my condolences. ! hj Joe Hyams was a great man that touched everyone who was fortunate enough to come into contact with him. His books will carry his words of wisdom forward and his impact on all of us will carry his spirit forward. We will all miss the many great things about you, Joe. Thanks for being Joe!!! Kalon Welch, 4th Dan, Bong Soo Han International Hapkido Federation

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