Novelist and TND writer Donald Westlake dies aged 75

Oscar nominated writer Donald Westlake has died at the age of 75.

The prolific author collapsed on Wednesday (31st Dec 2008) following a suspected heart attack while on his way to attend a New Year's Eve dinner with his wife, Abigail, during a sunshine break in Mexico.

During Westlake's long and successful writing career he earned an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay for 1960 movie, The Grifters, as well as winning three Edgar Awards and the title of Grand Master from the Mystery Writers of America in 1993.

A string of his novels were adapted for the big screen, including Lee Marvin's Point Blank in 1967 and The Hot Rock, starring Robert Redford, in 1972.

Westlake also worked on the script for 1997 James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. He delivered a treatment before "GoldenEye" had opened in theatres. After Brosnan as successfully launched as the new 007 for the '90s, Westlake's treatment was dropped and American writer Bruce Feirstein returned from his duties on Brosnan's debut to start afresh.

Click here for a complete history of the "Tomorrow Never Dies" script.

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