Hollywood Reacts To The Death Of Legendary Screenwriter William Goldman

William Goldman, the writer behind The Princess Bride, All The President’s Men, and Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, died on Friday at the age of 87 from colon cancer and pneumonia. The sheer range of his screenwriting prowess is evident from these three titles alone. He won Oscars for the latter two, a Western buddy film and a suspense-filled masterpiece, and obviously, The Princess Bride (adapted from his own book) continues to inspire goofy strings of consistently repeatable dialogue, so it’s an understatement to say that he will be missed, in the cinematic realm and far beyond.

His talents allowed him to straddle genres in a seemingly effortless manner, from Misery to Chaplin to The Stepford Wives. To that effect, Hollywood figures (including many who worked very closely with Goldman, who did not shy away from the spotlight like some writers are prone to do) are gathering on social media to pay tribute to a legend. Stephen King thanked him for the “beautiful” screenplay (later directed by Rob Reiner) for his novel.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 16, 2018

Reiner was quick to chime in as well, speaking to the honor of directing The Princess Bride, as well as his final (and fitting) exchange with Goldman.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) November 16, 2018

Neil Gaiman revealed that Goldman loved it when The Sandman author expressed the greatest affection for The Princess Bride.

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 16, 2018

Numerous others, including Ron Howard, Edgar Wright, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Vincent D’Onofrio (who called Goldman “the best ever”), honored a legend.

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) 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

His books on screenwriting were amazingly influential to so many, but to me, the brain that gave us The Princess Bride is one that the world is worse without.

RIP William Goldman pic.twitter.com/QBnbqH7pqg

— Steven Boyer ✡️ (@SteveBoyer5000) 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

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

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) 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

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

And of course, The Princess Bride quotes are everywhere — a phenomenon which Goldman would undoubtedly have enjoyed.

— KenyaEdwards (@LandseerNewfie) November 16, 2018

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

— Im So Over This (@leslietfj) November 16, 2018