William Ripley Burnett (November 25, 1899 - April 25, 1982), often credited as W.R. Burnett, is a novelist and screenwriter. His first novel, Little Caesar was the basis for the film of the same name; it led to over a dozen other novels, most of which he also adapted for the screen. Besides Little Caesar, he is probably best known as the author of High Sierra and The Asphalt Jungle.