I think he is a real, not made up person. he gives the screen of t.v. a little spice, and the book rack a little more spice.I can not express enough that he is not he bad roll model as some media makes him out to be. i mean look what t.v. can do. They make Seasame Street sound as if it teaches kids the world, but really it teaches the kids how to count to three.If you have read bad reviews about the book, you need to remember their ARE good reviews too. So try to stay away from the negative, and read it yourself. After reading it I think you will find your respect for him will higher, because he struggled, and had to experiment to get where he is now.