Oscar-Winning Screen Writer Larry McMurtry Dies Aged 84

Larry McMurtry, an American screenwriter and novelist whose books The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment, which became Oscar-winning films, has died at the age of 84.

Born in Texas in 1936, the author of Lonesome Dove won an Oscar for himself in a screenplay he wrote for 2005 west of Brokeback Mountain.

Some of his novels include Horseman, Pass By – which became Paul Newman film Hud.

Contribution To Literature

He is known for his unromantic depictions of the American West, he also owned a number of celebrated used book stores.

McMurtry’s contribution to American literature was officially recognized when he received the United Nations Humanities Medal from President Obama in 2015.

His death on Thursday was confirmed by Amanda Lundberg, a spokeswoman for the family.

McMurtry published Horseman, Pass By, his first novel, in 1961. He went on to write more than 30 more over the next 50 years.

He has written nearly a number of screenplays, including one who won a Bafta and one that won an Oscar based on his 1966 book The Last Picture Show.

Novels

Lonesome Dove, his 1985 novel about the Texas Ranger, who became a herdsman in the 1870’s, won the Pulitzer Prize and became a well-known TV series.

Terms of Endearment, written in 1975, was also adapted for the screen, winning five Academy Awards including best picture in 1984.

Among The Best Writers Ever

James L Brooks, the film’s director, remembered him on Twitter as “among the best writers ever.”

Author and screenwriter Andy Greenwald tweeted: “Arguably the greatest American novelist of the 20th Century. Inarguably the writer who singlehandedly got me through the pandemic. A legend and a titanic loss.”

Columnist and author Mark Harris added: “Lonesome Dove is a beautiful example of how a writer can be maximalist – it’s an 800-page Western! -and also take exquisite care with character, observation, and word choice. A great American writer. RIP.”

Good Joe Bell, the final film McMurtry wrote with regular writing partner Diana Ossana, had its premiere at the 2020 Toronto Film Festival.

He is survived by his second wife Faye Kesey and singer-songwriter James McMurtry, his son from his first marriage.