Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Mike Hammer
fictional character
News •
Stacy Keach, star of stage and ‘Mike Hammer’ series, dies at 85
• Nov. 10, 2026, 8:42 PM ET (AP)
Mike Hammer, fictional character, a brawling, brutal private detective who is the protagonist of a series of hard-boiled mystery books (beginning with I, the Jury, 1947) by Mickey Spillane and of subsequent films and television series.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.