Happy 97th Birthday, William Kennedy!

Let's raise a toast to our literary lion!

Friends and family gathered in Averill Park to celebrate with William Kennedy on his 97th birthday. Congratulations and best wishes to our NYS Writers Institute founder / Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist / journalist / screenwriter / playwright / mentor to generations of writers / and Albany's greatest literary ambassador. (Photo credit: Phil Caruso)

Kathy Caruso presents a birthday cake for her father at his 97th birthday party with a few friends and family at his Averill Park home on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo credit: Paul Grondahl)

From Brendan Kennedy: "That time when Mark Ruffalo made a surprise FaceTime call to wish your dad a Happy 97th Birthday." (Photo credit: Brendan)

A sampling of William Kennedy videos from our YouTube archives.

2021: Russell Banks in conversation with William Kennedy

2020: A Zoom conversation with William Kennedy and Paul Grondahl

2019: Francis Ford Coppola and William Kennedy discuss "The Cotton Club" at a sold-out event at the Empire State Plaza, Albany

2018: 90th birthday celebration remarks, Cafe Capriccio, Albany

2016: William Kennedy Discusses Adapting The Novel Ironweed To Film

2012: C-SPAN Cities Tour - Albany: O Albany! -- William Kennedy