He was born in Denver, Colorado. When his mother remarried during his youth, he took his stepfather's name to become Gene Fowler. Fowler's career had a false start in taxidermy, which he later claimed gave him a permanent distaste for red meat. After a year at the University of Colorado, he took a job with The Denver Post. His assignments included an interview with the frontiersman and Wild West Show promoter Buffalo Bill Cody. He established his trademark impertinence by questioning Cody about his many love affairs. Subsequently, Fowler worked for the New York Daily Mirror and then became newspaper syndication manager for King Features. His later work included more than a dozen screenplays, mostly written in the 1930s, and a number of books, including biographies and memoirs. During his years in Hollywood, Fowler became close to such celebrities as John Barrymore and W. C. Fields. Fields, whose animus toward children is legendary, claimed that Fowler's sons were the only children he could stand. In 1916, Fowler married Agnes Hubbard, who bore three children, the eldest of whom was Gene Fowler Jr., a prominent Hollywood film editor and a sometime director. Gene Fowler died in Los Angeles, California, aged 70.
Anecdotes
Fowler was the subject of many colorful anecdotes. One told by his son Will, concerns a scene outside of John Barrymore's hospital room in May 1942.
A stranger entered the waiting room where Decker and Fowler were sitting with reporters. "I am a healer," cried the stranger. "Just give me three minutes with Mr. Barrymore and I will cure him!" There was a moment of silence until Fowler arose, snatched the seemingly demented fellow by the scruff of his collar and threw him down the stairs, calling after him, "Physician, heal thyself!"
Fowler was present at Barrymore's death, and he claimed that Barrymore's last words, spoken to Fowler, were: "Is it true that you're the illegitimate son of Buffalo Bill?"
Other of his works that became the basis for films include his stage playThe Great Magoo, which was filmed as Shoot the Works, and the book Beau James: The Life & Times of Jimmy Walker, which was the basis for Beau James.
Memorable quotations
Fowler authored many witticisms both spoken and written. Two regarding the art of writing might suffice:
"Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead."
"The best way to become a successful writer is to read good writing, remember it, and then forget where you remember it from."
