Screenwriter Melissa Mathison, best known for writing the Steven Spielberg classic E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, has passed away. She was 65 and succumbed to an unspecified illness, her brother told Variety.
Spielberg released a statement on Mathison's passing, saying, "Melissa had a heart that shined with generosity and love and burned as bright as the heart she gave E.T."Melissa had a heart that shined with generosity and love and burned as bright as the heart she gave E.T."
In addition to E.T., Mathison also scripted The Black Stallion, Indian in the Cupboard and a segment in the Twilight Zone movie. More recently, Spielberg recruited her to write the screenplay for next year's big-screen adaptation of The B.F.G.
It's also worth noting that Mathison was married to actor Harrison Ford from 1983 to 2004. The couple had two children, Malcolm and Georgia.
Spielberg released a statement on Mathison's passing, saying, "Melissa had a heart that shined with generosity and love and burned as bright as the heart she gave E.T."Melissa had a heart that shined with generosity and love and burned as bright as the heart she gave E.T."
In addition to E.T., Mathison also scripted The Black Stallion, Indian in the Cupboard and a segment in the Twilight Zone movie. More recently, Spielberg recruited her to write the screenplay for next year's big-screen adaptation of The B.F.G.
It's also worth noting that Mathison was married to actor Harrison Ford from 1983 to 2004. The couple had two children, Malcolm and Georgia.