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William Goldman (1931–2018) was an American novelist, playwright and screenwriter. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he became one of the most influential figures in postwar American film and popular fiction. Goldman wrote original novels and adapted works for the screen, moving between literary and cinematic forms with a distinctive facility for plot and dialogue.

Career and style

Goldman began his professional life as a writer of short fiction and novels before finding steady work in Hollywood. He became known for sharp, economical screenplays that combined character detail with strong narrative momentum. Reviewers and practitioners have often noted his economy of language, dark wit, and ability to translate complex plotting to visual storytelling.

Major works

Two of Goldman's best-known screenplays earned him wide recognition: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men, each honored by the film industry. As a novelist he wrote the thriller Marathon Man and the comic-fantasy The Princess Bride, both of which he adapted for the screen. He also wrote a widely read book about the film business that offered practical observations and memorable aphorisms about the uncertainty of predicting hits.

Influence and guidance

Beyond individual titles, Goldman's essays and interviews have shaped how generations of writers approach screenwriting and adaptation. His comments on storytelling and the economics of filmmaking—summed up in a famously terse observation about the unpredictability of success—are often cited in discussions of Hollywood craft and risk. His work remains a common point of reference in film schools and writers' workshops.

Awards and recognition

Goldman received multiple industry honors, most prominently two Academy Awards for his screenplays. Critics and fellow writers have praised his ability to move between genres: from caper and crime drama to comedy and fantasy, he left a body of work that is both commercially successful and widely studied.

Death and legacy

Goldman died in New York City in 2018 at age 87. Reports noted that his passing followed pneumonia complicated by colon cancer. He is remembered for the durability of his stories, the adaptability of his prose to screen, and his clear-eyed writings about the film industry.

Selected works