This week the tragic news of William Goldman’s death reached us, author of the Princess Bride among many other screenplays, adaptations, and novels. We paid tribute to Goldman in this piece and now the literary world has spoken out about the writer’s death.
Across social media well known names spoke out about Goldman, their relationship with him and the ways in which he touched their lives.
Stephen King led the tributes with this tweet
So sorry to hear of the passing of William Goldman. He was both witty and talented. His screenplay of my book MISERY was a beautiful thing. Rest In Peace, Bill.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 16, 2018
Neil Himself waxed lyrical about the author for a little while
I was lucky, in 1984, to interview William Goldman at the Savoy. He brightened up when I told him that of all his books, I loved The Princess Bride, then his least successful book, the best. A gentleman: he wrote brilliant novels & screenplays & explained Hollywood to the world.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 16, 2018
I didn’t have many role models as a young writer. I knew I wanted to be able to work in different mediums and in many genres, though. Bill Goldman was one of the people I learned from. The Smart Ones. As @StephenKing said, he was a rare one who went to Hollywood & stayed good.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 16, 2018
Writer and Director Edgar Wright also paid tribute
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
While Ben Stiller admitted to feeling starstruck in Goldman’s presence.
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. #RESPECT https://t.co/ED9HUJc50R
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) November 16, 2018
The ripples from Goldman’s loss will rumble on for a while now, he gave so much both to the literary world, and the movie world and showed how adaptable the best writers are. RIP William Goldman, thanks for all the stories.
Canadian Writer Alice Munro, dies at 92
Birmingham Poet, Benjamin Zephaniah dies, aged 65
Top Authors Join Legal Battle Against OpenAI for Mass Copyright Infringement
Literary Icon, Cormac McCarthy has died