Did Prince Harry Write Spare, Or Did He Have a Ghostwriter?

Bombshell excerpts from Prince Harry’s upcoming memoir, “Spare,” have leaked, including insight into a physical altercation with his brother, Prince William, and details on how Harry coped with his mother’s tragic death. Although readers have Harry to thank for recounting these shocking tales, credit for getting the fiery words down on the page goes to a celebrity ghostwriter, J.R. Moehringer. Read on for everything we know about the award-winning American novelist (spoiler alert: he’s George Clooney approved!).

Who Is J.R. Moehringer?

Moehringer was born in New York and raised between Manhasset, New York, and Scottsdale, Arizona. He went on to study at the prestigious Yale University, before accepting a position as a news assistant at The New York Times. The 58-year old’s journalism career eventually took him to the Los Angeles Times, where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1998 for his article “Resurrecting the Champ,” and won the Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing for his article “Crossing Over” in 2000.

The now father-of-two launched his literary career by publishing his own memoir, “The Tender Bar,” in 2005. The novel, later adapted into a feature film directed by George Clooney and starring Ben Affleck, dives into Moehringer’s coming-of-age story from childhood to his early 20s. It recounts Moehringer’s deep and loving bond with his mother, a single parent, but how yearning for his father caused him to turn to a local bar in an effort to explore his masculinity.

Has J.R. Moehringer Ghostwritten Memoirs Other Than Prince Harry’s?

After reading “The Tender Bar” at the 2006 U.S. Open, eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion Andre Agassi enlisted Moehringer to ghostwrite his memoir. “Open” was published in 2009, and received glowing reviews, including from the New York Times, who said “Open” is one of the most passionately anti-sports books ever written…”

Moehringer’s next novel, “Sutton,” was published in 2012 and followed the life of one of America’s most successful and notorious bank robbers, Willie Sutton. Despite Sutton’s chosen career, Moehringer eloquently retells the criminal’s life story with sympathy and against the backdrop of a romantic love story.

Following “Sutton,” Moehringer wrote a second ghostwritten memoir, “Shoe Dog,” in 2016. “Shoe Dog” recounts the life story of Portland-native Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Not unlike “Open,” Moehringer was able to help his collaborator tell a gripping story that garnered critic praise, including from Business Standard who said “”Shoe Dog” is a sincere, brilliantly strung together book that mystically captures the Nike growth story.”

Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” is Moehringer’s first collaboration since “Shoe Dog.” The tell-all promises readers insight into the treatment of Meghan Markle, the decision to leave the royal family, the impact of Princess Diana’s death on Harry’s life, and more intimate behind-the-scenes details about Harry’s life in the public eye. “Spare” hits bookshelves on Jan. 10.