The 1997 Documentary video Ray Bradbury: An American Icon explores author Ray Bradbury’s life and work.

Actor Rod Steiger narrates as Bradbury discusses various aspects of his life. He was one of four children, one of whom died before Ray was born and another died when Ray was six years old. This made Ray’s mother very nervous about Ray and instilled in Ray a fear of death.

Clips from The Ray Bradbury Theater appear as Bradbury discusses his inspirations. In one case, when he was about eight years old he was playing on the shore of Lake Michigan with a little girl about his own age when she went into the water and didn’t come back out. Years later this inspired Bradbury to write “The Lake,” which he regarded as his first really good story.

Bradbury discusses how a mysterious carnival performer known only as Mr. Electrico inspired him at the age of twelve.

Bradbury is shown at home, visiting his first home from when his family moved to Los Angeles, and reminiscing with a high school classmate. Bradbury’s wife Maggie talks about how they met.

Besides his writing, film, and television work, Bradbury is shown attending a rehearsal of a play dramatizing several of his stories.

This video packs a lot into under an hour and I highly recommend it.