Legendary Screenwriter William Goldman Dead at 87

Legendary screenwriter and novelist William Goldman, who penned the Academy Award-winning scripts for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, has died at age 87. Goldman also adapted his novel of the same name for the screenplay of the beloved 1987 film The Princess Bride, as well as the films Marathon Man (1976) and Magic (1978). He passed away at his Manhattan home Friday due to complications from colon cancer and pneumonia, his daughter, Jenny Goldman, told The Washington Post.

Born in Chicago, Goldman was a longtime New York resident whose career spanned over five decades, and included writing the 1982 book Adventures in the Screen Trade, in which he is credited with coining the Hollywood aphorism “Nobody knows anything.”

In the wake of his passing, this quote resurfaced from an interview with Goldman in the 2003 book Screenwriting by Declan McGrath and Felim MacDermott:

William Goldman, 1931-2018. pic.twitter.com/qXdXlo6o3M

— Tim Grierson (@TimGrierson) November 16, 2018

Along with his exceptional screenwriting credits, Goldman also leaves behind an impressive legacy of uncredited work as a script doctor. Most notably, he has long been rumored to have significantly rewritten Ben Affleck & Matt Damon’s breakout script for Good Will Hunting, rumors that Goldman persistently denied. He received a “thanks” in the credits of that 1997 film.

In addition to his daughter Jenny, Goldman is survived by Susan Burden, his domestic partner of 19 years, and a grandson. His other daughter, Susanna, died in 2015, and his brother, James Goldman, who wrote the Academy Award-winning script for the 1968 film The Lion in Winter, died in 1998.

You’ll find several of the many tributes that industry figures left for Goldman on Twitter below, our 2014 tribute to the writer here and Paste’s favorite quotes from the Goldman-penned Princess Bride here.

William Goldman was huge part Of creating some of the seminal movies of the 70’s and beyond. His book on screenwriting was a touchstone for me and I always felt star struck and intimidated seeing him at Knicks games. #RESPECThttps://t.co/ED9HUJc50R

— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) November 16, 2018

It’s no small feat to be a smart, witty writer and smart and witty about writing. RIP the legendary adventurer in screenwriting, William Goldman. https://t.co/oqSyQaRq2R

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) November 16, 2018

RIP #WilliamGoldman. One of the greatest most successful screenwriters ever. I was lucky as hell to count Bill as a mentor and a friend. Check his credits & see a William Goldman movie or read a Goldman book over the holiday & give thanks that we had his voice in our world. https://t.co/RWRdCoO1Cm

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) November 16, 2018

Legendary William Goldman, has died. He gave us ‘The Princess Bride’, ( book even better than the film) ‘Butch Cassidy-’ screenplay of “All the President’s Men’ and best book on show biz, ‘Adventures in the Screen Trade’. He was also a true friend. Thank you dear Bill pic.twitter.com/dcwfYPd3ue

— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 16, 2018