Let's make this birthday one to remember.

89 years old (Born on April 29, 1936)

Happy Birthday, Lane Smith! Another year wiser—and yet somehow you're still known best for making politics read like a thriller in "The Final Days." Who knew documenting presidential history could outpace any Netflix binge? You've set the bar high; White House dramas everywhere now feel inferior.

From your phenomenal storytelling that transformed political reporting into page-turning suspense, to captivating readers without once relying on cliffhanger zombies—truly impressive. Here's hoping this birthday brings thrillers of cake and intrigue-filled celebrations fitting an author who made Watergate fascinating all over again. Cheers to you, Lane: may your coming chapters be epic sequels indeed!