Literature / Press & broadcasting
Mitch Albom
born 1958 · author, newspaper columnist, radio host, philanthropist
Detroit Free Press columnist since 1985 and author of Tuesdays with Morrie, whose charities have funded shelters, clinics and homes across Detroit.
- Born
Passaic, New Jersey
age 68- Birth name
- Mitchell David Albom
- Detroit years
- 1985–present
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Albom came to Detroit in 1985 as lead sports columnist of the Detroit Free Press and never left; from 1989 he also wrote a weekly non-sports column, and both still run in the paper. He became one of the most honored sportswriters of his era, named best sports columnist by the Associated Press Sports Editors 13 times, and a familiar voice on Detroit talk radio. His memoir Tuesdays with Morrie (1997) made him a global best-selling author. In Detroit he founded the volunteer group A Time to Help (1998) and the charity SAY Detroit (2006), which funds homeless shelters, a free family health clinic, youth play centers and home repairs. His book Have a Little Faith grew from his friendship with Henry Covington, pastor of the struggling I Am My Brother's Keeper church in Detroit, whose roof his charity replaced. He crossed the picket line in the 1995–97 Detroit newspaper strike.
Highlights
- Detroit Free Press columnist since 1985
- Named best sports columnist by the AP Sports Editors 13 times; Red Smith Award (2010)
- Tuesdays with Morrie (1997) and The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2003)
- Founded A Time to Help (1998) and SAY Detroit (2006)
- His play Ernie, about Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, premiered in Detroit in 2011
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Worked here · 1985–1998
Detroit Free Press Building
Closed · 1925–1998
The Albert Kahn-designed home of the Free Press when Albom joined in 1985; the paper left in 1998, and the building reopened in 2020 as The Press/321 apartments and offices.
Worked here · 2024–present
Detroit Free Press newsroom
The paper's newsroom since December 2024, after stints in the Detroit News building (1998–2014) and at 160 W. Fort St. (2014–2024).
Related place · 2011
City Theatre (Detroit)
Status being checked
His play Ernie, about Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, premiered here in April 2011.