William Peter Blatty: R.I.P.

Deadline reports that Writer and filmmaker William Peter Blatty, author of the famed 1971 novel The Exorcist that he helped turn into one of the most iconic supernatural horror films of all time, died Thursday at the age of 89. A screenwriter and author, Blatty eventually wrote and directed The Exorcist II and 1980’s The Ninth Configuration starring Stacey Keach, also based on his novel.
He won the Oscar in 1973 for his screenplay, based on his own book, the Exorcist.