Hollywood is paying their respects to Oscar-winning screenwriter and novelist William Goldman, who died Friday at age 87.
The influential writer behind “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “All the President’s Men” and the novel “The Princess Bride” left a mark on Hollywood’s crop of modern writers and directors, who today took to Twitter to celebrate his work and the impact he left on them.
“His book on screenwriting was a touchstone for me and I always felt starstruck seeing him at Knicks games,” actor and director Ben Stiller said in a tweet.
“We had a long earlier history and I’m sorry to hear of his passing,” Robert Redford said in a quote to TheWrap.
“I was lucky as hell to count Bill as a mentor and a friend,” said Ron Howard in a tweet. “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.”
“Today we lost a National treasure. I give thanks not only for the immense talent of #BillGoldman but for the life and career he gave me by allowing me to portray Westley and giving me those three magical words to say: ‘As You Wish,’” Cary Ewles, star of “The Princess Bride” wrote on Instagram.
Several other Hollywood professionals not only shared quotes, photos or GIFs from some of his most famous films, but also mentioned how his book “Adventures in Screen Trade” shaped their career and writing.
“Bill was a consummate storyteller whose tales touched millions and will endure as pinnacles of the art form. Having worked with him for many years, I can attest that his brilliant and inventive work seemed to defy his own suggestion that “nobody knows anything” in movies. He was a true original and a wonderful friend who will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn in a statement. Horn worked with Goldman during their days at Embassy Pictures and at Castle Rock Entertainment.
Goldman is a two-time Oscar winner for both “Butch Cassidy” and “All the President’s Men” and also wrote films such as “Marathon Man,” “Misery,” “Chaplin” and many more. He died in his home in Manhattan Friday from complications of colon cancer and pneumonia.
Read some of the tweets celebrating his life 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 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 (@BenStiller) November 16, 2018
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
Legendary William Goldman, has died. He gave us ‘The Princess Bride’, ( book even better than the film) ‘Butch Cassidy-’ screenplay of "All the President's Men’ and best book on show biz, ‘Adventures in the Screen Trade’. He was also a true friend. Thank you dear Bill pic.twitter.com/dcwfYPd3ue
— Mia Farrow?? (@MiaFarrow) November 16, 2018
William Goldman. What can one do in the face of such a legacy but bow our heads in gratitude?
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 16, 2018
A great writer and a wonderful man…R.I.P. https://t.co/oDRTkjiL2m
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) November 16, 2018
“Nobody knows anything” is a liberating concept. It means don’t take no for an answer, be bold, try something new. Yes, the fall will probably kill ya… but listen to your inner voice. R.I.P. the great screenwriter William Goldman. pic.twitter.com/MmLLmsxQtt
— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) 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
William Goldman's All the President's Men is one of the best screenplays ever–a miracle of thoughtful adaptation. His most famous aphorism about Hollywood was "Nobody knows anything." I don't think he believed it for a minute. RIP.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) November 16, 2018
William Goldman, Norman Mailer and Paddy Chayefsky at the 1977 Academy Awards. Goldman won best adapted screenplay (for ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN) the same year Chayefsky won best original screenplay (for NETWORK). pic.twitter.com/GGI1TCCGyh
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) November 16, 2018
RIP to William Goldman. If you are even thinking about being a writer then read Adventures in the Screen Trade and Which Lie Did I Tell? ASAP https://t.co/FIIum3uYLc
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) November 16, 2018
William Goldman wrote brilliant novels, screenplays and razor-sharp takes on filmmaking. He was also a very nice man. RIP.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/sarahw/status/1063436703564742657
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 "William Goldman" The un work I did on Crocodile Dundee 2 was my tribute to you. Witty streetwise "Kevin" leading Paul Hogan around New York would've taken the sequel to new heights.
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) November 16, 2018
RIP William Goldman – a man who seemed to see the screen so clearly & wrote for it wonderfully. Defying genre as he did – compare & contrast Butch, Princess Bride, Presidents & Misery. Devoured his films, devoured his books, nobody knows everything but he had SO MUCH to share.
— Jack Thorne (@jackthorne) November 16, 2018
“No one knows anything”. The very accurate advice of the great William Goldman.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) November 16, 2018
One less giant….
William Goldman Dies; Oscar Winning Writer Of ‘Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’ Was 87 – Deadline https://t.co/ipARwOdkNs
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) November 16, 2018
This guy was the best ever.
William Goldman Dies; Oscar Winning Writer Of ‘Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’ Was 87 – Deadline https://t.co/tvrYG2KamM— Vincent D’Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) November 16, 2018