Clifford Irving is an American author and journalist, best known for his controversial biography of Howard Hughes, a reclusive billionaire. In the early 1970s, Irving claimed to have written an autobiography of Hughes, which he said was based on interviews with the elusive figure. This led to a major scandal when it was revealed that Hughes had not authorized the book, and Irving faced legal consequences for his actions. Born on May 5, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey, Irving has written several novels and non-fiction works throughout his career. His most notable works include The Hoax, which recounts the events surrounding the Hughes biography, and he has also worked in various capacities in the publishing industry.