12 Facts About Donn Pearce

Donn Pearce was an American author and journalist best known for the novel and screenplay Cool Hand Luke.

Donn Pearce attempted to join the United States Merchant Marine at 16, but was turned away due to his age.

Donn Pearce lied about his age, registered for the draft, and was inducted into the United States Army in 1944.

Donn Pearce served three days of his sentence, then was transferred to a combat infantry unit.

Donn Pearce contacted the Army, informed them of his true age, and he was thrown out of the Army.

Postwar Europe had a thriving black market, and Donn Pearce became involved in counterfeiting American money.

Donn Pearce attempted to pass some counterfeit bills to a police officer in Marseilles, and was arrested, tried, and imprisoned.

Donn Pearce crossed from Canada into the United States, where he began a new career: burglary.

Donn Pearce became a safecracker, and in 1949, at age 20, he was arrested for burglary.

Donn Pearce served two years in the Florida Department of Corrections chain gangs.

The film starred Paul Newman, and Donn Pearce made a cameo appearance as a convict named Sailor.

In 1966, Donn Pearce appeared as himself on the March 21 episode of To Tell the Truth, receiving two of four possible votes.