Is it illegal to write a fake biography about a real person so long as you're up front about it?

[teyo]

What if I wanted to write a biography about a real person (e.g. Walt Disney), but intended to make it more interesting by adding fictional elements (e.g. That Disney was a closet transvestite and recreational arsonist)? I'd be up front about it and state from the very beginning that the book contains facts mixed with a lot of complete BS and that therefore the book should only be read for entertainment purposes. I'd even call it something like "A Completely Made Up and in No Way Accurate Biography of Walt Disney." Is that legal? Or could I be sued for libel or defamation of character?

[emek]

Obama did that about himself and made $millions.

[bedyw25]

It's completely legal and been done before (in a famous book called the Bible? Think I'm wrong, just read some of Cornell's research teams' papers on Jesus.) but I suggest contacting the person's estate (if they are dead) or their PR team if they're alive.

Good luck! xxoo

[leland]

It wouldn't be a biography as a biography is based on their actual life, not fiction. It would be a work of fiction and could not use his name. Even using his likeness (a character modeled after the person you want to make up stories about) would leave you open to defamation suits.