Joseph Heller (1923-1999) was an American author and playwright best known for his novel Catch-22. Heller was born in Brooklyn, New York and served in the US Air Force during World War II. After the war, he attended college and wrote short stories for magazines. His first novel, Catch-22, was published in 1961 and became an instant classic. It was followed by other works such as Something Happened, Good as Gold, and God Knows. Heller's works are known for their dark humor and satire, and his writing has been praised for its insight into the human condition. He died in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of influential and beloved works.