Goldman was born in Illinois in 1931 and got his start as a novelist, releasing his first book The Temple of Gold in 1957.
He started screenwriting in the mid-'60s, despite his first effort (an adaptation of Flowers for Algernon) being scrapped. The 1966 Paul Newman-starring Harper, however, was his first big hit.
Goldman went on to pen the script for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, for which he won the Oscar for Best Original Screenwriting.
In 1973, he released his novel The Princess Bride. He also wrote a script for the story, that was eventually made into a film in 1987.
Amongst Goldman's other notable screenplays were The Stepford Wives, All the President's Men, Heat, Misery and Last Action Hero.
See some tributes to the late writer below.
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
William Goldman is the patron saint of screenwriting.
— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) November 16, 2018
Everything he wrote, both for the screen and about the trade, is fucking gospel.
Study it, master it, understand you will likely never measure up to him.
Nothing any of us will write today will be worthy of him.
One of the greats, William Goldman, has gone. Pretty much everything he wrote — novels, memoirs, screenplays — was entertaining, touched with wit, mischief and humanity. Would have loved to have a conversation with him about writing https://t.co/ZrtVdoYBIe
— Gady Epstein (@gadyepstein) November 16, 2018
A screenwriting god just passed away, William Goldman. His book Adventures in the Screen Trade was my first screenwriting bible. His scripts for Butch Cassidy and All the Presidents Men won Oscars. But for me The Princess Bride is his masterpiece and greatest legacy. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3z4jVfU1FG
— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) November 16, 2018
One less giant....
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) November 16, 2018
William Goldman Dies; Oscar Winning Writer Of 'Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid' Was 87 – Deadline https://t.co/ipARwOdkNs
This guy was the best ever.
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) November 16, 2018
William Goldman Dies; Oscar Winning Writer Of 'Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid' Was 87 – Deadline https://t.co/tvrYG2KamM
William Goldman was an amazing guy. I need some time to gather my thoughts on this one. This hurts.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 16, 2018
RIP to William Goldman, the fantastic novelist turned screenwriter of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Marathon Man, Misery, All the President's Men, and much more - including The Princess Bride, one of the best and most quotable movies ever, adapted from his own book. pic.twitter.com/3M2ilUnTQH
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) November 16, 2018
I know everyone has their favorite William Goldman lines, but I think of this one all the time. pic.twitter.com/WV1Khl4mIm
— Maris Kreizman (@mariskreizman) November 16, 2018
