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Happy Birthday To Westport’s Aaron Edward 'A.E.' Hotchner

WESTPORT, Conn. -- Happy Birthday To Westport’s Aaron Edward "A.E." Hotchner!

Hotchner, who has owned a home in Westport, turns 94 on Saturday. The editor, novelist, playwright and biographer was born June 28, 1920, in St. Louis, Mo.

Hotchner briefly practiced law and then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a journalist during World War II. When the war was over, he decided to forgo the law and pursue a career in writing. His articles appeared in the best magazines and journals of the time.

In 1948, he met Ernest Hemingway and the two were close friends until Hemingway's death in 1961. Hotchner is best known for "Papa Hemingway," his 1966 biography of Hemingway, whose work he had adapted for plays and television.

His play "Sweet Prince" was produced Off-Broadway in 1982 at the Theater Off-Park, starring Keir Dullea and Ian Abercrombie.

"King of the Hill" is his evocative memoir of his childhood in St. Louis during the Great Depression. It was made into a film in 1993.

He founded Newman's Own Inc., with his friend, neighbor and actor Paul Newman, in 1982. All profits from this successful line of food products and other ventures are turned over to charities, including the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp that they established in 1988 for children with life-threatening illnesses.

He has been honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

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