A Popular Writer with a Second, More Important Career?

Question

Many famous people turn to writing books after they have become famous for something else. What famous person did the reverse, starting as a popular writer with a solid following before being thrust into the limelight and garnering worldwide fame in a second career?

I know the answer. Do you?

Yes, I am going to tell you later. I will also give you a hint so that you can focus in on the correct person.

He was a man, and he said the single most important thing he ever did in his life was convince his wife to marry him.

That hint narrows it down, because while many people may think that, this gentleman actually stated it.

Answer 1

Well, there are a number of possibilities.

Probably the best example I can think of would be Václav Havel. He was an internationally known playwright in old Czechoslovakia. But like so many of the best artists, he was also politically active -- and when the Iron Curtain fell and the Czech Republic emerged, Havel became its first president.

He was an important writer -- and one of the finest leaders of a newly free eastern Europe.

Answer 2

I really feel like I should know this one...
Grr, not coming to mind.

However, I will tell you that when I first read the question I immediately thought of a character from a TV show! Tonight's episode of NCIS focused on the character Timothy McGee who is a federal agent but who has become a very popular author under the pseudonym Tom GemCity.

Answer 3

Well I dont know who did it that way, but I know James Patterson was head of an ad agency and invented the slogan "I Don't Wanna Grow Up - I'm A Toys R Us Kid". Pax - C. Are you going to tell us later??

Answer 4

Of course not, because you know one answer, not the answer.

You could pick any of dozens of authors that ended up more famous for debauchery or crime than their original writing.

You could pick any of hundreds of politicians or revolutionaries, who wrote books before they were elected, led marches, or overthrew a government.

You could even mean a mediocre sci-fi author who founded a religion.

It's not an astonishing unique occurrence.

Answer 5

Good question, but I'm drawing a blank! It's going to kill me until I think of the answer.

I really like the question though, not just trying for 2 points.

C'mon... who is it?