Now: Seattle Seahawks sideline reporter on 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO Radio 97.3; radio host on 710 ESPN Seattle, Then: ESPN.com columnist I'm so grateful I made it in time to hold him and say goodbye. "My beloved sister, Olympia Dukakis, passed away this morning in New York City. The actor's nephew discovered his body in the living room. 11 Jun 2022. "We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond's passing on Monday, February 1st, 2021 due to carcinoma," Diamond's rep said in a second statement. Looking back, she'd often say, 'I've had a lucky life,' and generations of children count themselves lucky toolucky to have the very real characters Beverly Cleary created, including Henry Huggins, Ramona and Beezus Quimby, and Ralph S. Mouse, as true friends who helped shape their growing-up years," said Suzanne Murphy, president and publisher of HarperCollins Children's Books. Karen Hudson-Samuels, 68, worked for over four decades in Detroit as an anchor, producer . He composed the musician's 1977 debut album Bat Out of Hell, which remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. In 1984, he starred in six episodes of Dallas as Roy Ralston. Parker Meadows, Andre Lipcius homer for Tigers in speedy 4-2 win over Phillies . Malcolm, who was born in Prague, was revered for her essays examining psychoanalysis and her critique of her own profession as a journalist. We've received your submission. Authorities did not share any additional information at the time. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, "The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Longtime ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez died unexpectedly Sunday at the age of 58, according to a statement from ESPN and Sports Content Chairman James Pitaro. Cross, who was 81 when he died Feb. 28, 2021, suffered from stage 4 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University researchers said Tuesday. The New York Times best-selling author, who rose to prominence for his work about contemporary Black life, died of cancer on Jan. 3. 46/72. "Pedro was an elite . The members of this group continue to work in media but have left sports behind, at least for now. A cause of death has not been released for the Christchurch native. "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas told PEOPLE in a statement. "A woman of extraordinary generosity, philanthropist and world famous designer," the statement read. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Crown actor died on Feb. 24. She was 65. Sekou Smith, a longtime NBA reporter and analyst, died Tuesday of complications from covid-19, devastating the community of coaches, players and reporters who had known him for years. "I have managed Miss Tyson's career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing," her manager, Larry Thompson, said in a statement. The cause of the reality star's death is currently unknown. "I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. She was such an incredible woman in so many ways. Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame coach John Madden died Dec. 28, 2021. The beloved journalist and radio host died in Los Angeles on Jan. 23. Henry's daughter, Erin Ellwood, confirmed the death to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. As Mayne put it on Twitter, he was a salary cap casualty. Those media deals are expensive. Is the Pac-12 close to a new deal, or are they in trouble as more bidders back away from negotiations? Now: Associate professor at BYU-Hawaii (where he has been since 2005), Then: ESPN Dodgers beat reporter Langley, best known for his creation of the hit series Cops, died on June 26 due to a heart attack. In total, Lasorda was with the Dodgers organization for 71 seasons, including 14 as a special advisor to the chairman. Other of Carle's most notable works include The Very Busy Spider, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The expected layoffs at ESPN started Wednesday, April 29, with the company reportedly set to release about 100 anchors, reporters, analysts and production staffers. In Memoriam: Notable people who died in 2022 Photos - ABC News A cause of death has not been revealed, and a rep for the actor did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. The cause of his death is unclear. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Sports deaths 2022- all the athletes and coaches who have died this . Now: Executive director of sports and social program at Aspen Institute, Then: ESPN NFL analyst Feb 7, 2021. A statement from the Glasgow native's family, which was shared by record labels Transgressive and Future Classic, revealed that, "True to her spirituality she had climbed up to watch the full moon and accidentally slipped and fell. Then: SportsCenter anchor So eventually, you know, it's gonna probably get me," Tyler shared on Today in June, noting at the time that he was undergoing chemotherapy. The acclaimed painter, best known for his decorative pieces that brought commonplace objects and landscapes to life, died at 101. Douglas, best known for her starring role on The Parent 'Hood has died. The five-time Emmy Award nominee was found at around 2 p.m. in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment, a source from the NYPD told PEOPLE. ESPN Radio Host & Analyst, NHL. "He slipped away peacefully on Thursday, April 29, 2021, with Charlotte, his wife, by his side.". ", "And so did he stop playing? "Wayne Thiebaud had a profound and lasting influence on our university, but his legacy transcends UC Davis. Now: NBC Sports Chicago contributor; Lecturer at University of Pennsylvania. In 2010, New York City's Henry Miller's Theatre was renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in his honor. Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5, 2006. Tony Dow, 77. Douglas' cousin, Angie Tee, announced the actress' death Tuesday with an emotional tribute on Facebook. In 2014, three films Greenspan produced were released: The Best of Me, a Sparks book adaptation starring James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan; You're Not You, based on the novel by Michelle Wildgen and starring Hilary Swank, Emmy Rossum and Josh Duhamel; and the Chlo Grace Moretz film If I Stay, based on the book by Gayle Forman. Now: IncomingGolden State Warriors reporter for The Athletic, Thrilled to announce that I'll be joining The Athletic on May 15th. Price was later drafted and sent to Korea in 1953. Ramsey a long-time advocate for HIV and AIDS awareness, according to Variety was also known for her Broadway performances in shows like Hello, Dolly and the Los Angeles production of Little Shop of Horrors. Elle Duncan to Co-Anchor 6 p.m. SportsCenter Starting in February Sage Steele will move to the noon ET edition of SportsCenter as co-anchor after the College Football Playoff and will add a new periodic ESPN+ interview program to her slate, while Elle Duncan will move to the 6 p.m. edition in February as ESPN announces the anchor lineups for its signature news and information program for the . Now: NBA reporter for New York Times, Then: ESPN NFL reporter His daughter, Andrea Gabriel, shared the news of his death on June 13 on Instagram. He was also the author of several books. The songwriter behind Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia" died on Feb. 3, music publisher and family friend Charlie Monk confirmed to The Tennessean. Now: St. Louis Cardinals beat reporter for The Athletic, Then: ESPN.com NHL reporter, columnist Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Turner sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson shared photo of son Michael, who died Friday at the age of 33. The actor, who was an original Mouseketeer, died on April 29. The garage rock singer died on March 20, his family announced via a GoFundMe page they created to help raise money for his funeral. That book was followed by a number of others, including In the Freud Archives, The Journalist and the Murderer, The Silent Woman, Two Lives and Iphigenia in Forest Hills. This beautiful soul was my cousin," she wrote, posting three photos of her cousin. Former Detroit news anchor dies after getting COVID-19 vaccine, husband Keep in mind that we're dealing with the steamiest ESPN personalities of all-time, meaning some might be past their prime right now but were once ridiculously . Reilly's daughter, social media personality Caitlin Reilly, announced the news of her father's death on Instagram. Now: Radio host on SiriusXM; play-by-play for Philadelphia Soul, Then: ESPN.com NBA analyst No cause of death was announced. As a significant rights-holder in the sports media landscape, ESPN isnt going anywhere. Saunders joined ESPN in December 1986 to anchor SportsCenter. Staples, one of the founding members of the legendary gospel group the Staple Singers, died on May 6. Born in Hammond, Indiana, in 1939, Cross was the eighth of 15 children. A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Price was best known for his hit "Personality," which reached No. John Skipper has just sent memo . The filmmaker best known for creating The Goonies, Superman and all four movies in the Lethal Weapon franchise died at 91. Here are 7 high-profile departures amid its turmoil. He then went on to portray WSB agent Sean Donely in General Hospital for 11 years. Emile Francis was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and general manager who played for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Ramsey died at her home in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The country icon died of natural causes on Jan. 8, PEOPLE confirmed. Mr. Aung - also known as A Sai K - died on 25 December while covering the plight of refugees in the southeastern state of . One of 15 children and from Hammond, Indiana, Irv Cross starred in football and track and field at Northwestern. He was 84. Joanne Rogers, the classical pianist and widow of TV icon Fred Rogers, died on Jan. 14. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback had 22 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, 8 forced fumbles and 2 defensive touchdowns. Did you encounter any technical issues? Peter Mark Richman, an actor with over 130 television credits including his recurring role as Reverend Snow on Three's Company, died on Jan. 14 at the age of 93. Submitted by qzqBPYZWRghfR on Tue, 2023-02-28 . It's stage 4 [now], late-stage cancer. Now: NHL reporter for The Athletic, Then: ESPN Radio host Cross said her husband, who was diagnosed with mild cognitive dementia in 2018, often sat in a chair and grimaced from headaches that weren't going away. Baldwin Hills, which aired from 200709, was a reality series that followed the lives of a group of wealthy Black teenagers from the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles. He was 42. In a written statement to CNN, Mudd's family shared a sweet tribute to him. He later appeared in Lena Dunham's hit HBO series Girls as her character Hannah Horvath's father Tad, who comes out as gay while married to her mother Loreen (Becky Ann Baker). Tyson, famous for her choice of roles portraying resilient, uplifting Black women, was active in the entertainment industry since her 1956 debut in Carib Gold. A former Detroit news anchor who worked at the country's first black-owned television station died last Tuesday a day after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, a report said. Publisher Penguin Kids announced Carle's death on Twitter. He was 92. "On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Everyone who worked with him couldn't help but see the talent and vision he possessed. ", "I'm grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White," DeGeneres wrote on Twitter. On August 10, 2016, John Saunders collapsed on his bathroom floor and died. She later became the first runner-up on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. CNN Business . The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback, who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, is the latest football player diagnosed with CTE. She was 76. Former NFL player and current ESPN commentator Keyshawn Johnson said on Monday that one of his children has died. Now: Program director at Accelerate Basketball, Then: ESPN voice over artist Now: Special adviser to Dodgers president Andrew Friedman (a role he has had since 2016), Then: ESPN.com predictive analytics expert The family requests that any donations in her name be made to PETA or Last Chance for Animals," Green added. The actor, best known for his role on The Mod Squad, died on June 4 after a battle with colon cancer. CNN . He went on to form his own rock group, LaBracio. For her contributions to 1989's Tap, Douglas won the NAACP Image Award for outstanding supporting actress in a film. Former Detroit TV Anchor Karen Hudson-Samuels Dies One Day After Taking Some of Donner's other credits include Scrooged (1988), Maverick (1994), Assassins (1995), Conspiracy Theory (1997), Timeline (2003) and most recently, 2006's 16 Blocks. On May 2, the former NASCAR driver, who made nearly 300 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, died. "We need to educate young athletes that this is a risk that they are undertaking. The legendary photojournalist, known as the "unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate," died on Jan. 27 due to complications from COVID-19, according to Reuters. a former local CTV reporter, author and resident Beach advocate, has died.. Nov 15, 2020 Total Pay. "We will forever be saddened that his life was cut short by this devastating disease," the statement read in part. I wouldn't rule out CFTO and CP24 newsrooms merging, but it probably won't . JD always wants to know how youre doing, Waddle said in ESPNs obituary for Dickerson. A cause of death was not given. He spent two decades covering a range of political stories while also serving as the weekend anchor for CBS Evening News. The update came shortly after police were seen removing a vehicle, which matched a description from a missing person poster as the car Nix was last seen driving, from a Florida pond, according to CBS Sports. The actress was also a model and advocate for people with disabilities. Now: Columnist for The Athletic, The MMQB, Then: ESPN.com Golden State Warriors reporter The former defensive end was "located" by police on Feb. 27, three days after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced that he was missing. The essayist and journalist, best known for her work in The New Yorker, died on June 16. : https://t.co/9v5Z0ZkqyX pic.twitter.com/DnKxgEeaPu, NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) April 27, 2018, Then: Monday Night Baseball analyst Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends," Gregory wrote. 2023 Cable News Network. The luxury chain now spans 15 resorts, with six across Jamaica. Big Ang star Linda Torres died on April 2 after testing positive for COVID-19. Some might still be under contract at ESPN, while others have likely chosen not to work for one reason or other. I'm so grateful I got to love him. The Just Our Luck actor died in March at the age of 71. In 2018, she became the first Black woman to receive an honorary Oscar. Now: Radio host on 103.3 ESPN Dallas; reporter for NBCDFW.com; adjunct lecturer at Southern Methodist University, Then: ESPN NFL analyst Snow died at 2 a.m. Saturday at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. "Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend Tony Snow," President Bush said in a written . Very fun to be around, not negative, just wanted to have a fun time," Detore shared. Tutu was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 after being nominated thrice prior in '81, '82, and '83 for his non-violent tactics in dismantling apartheid. What a terrible loss for our baseball community.. "It is with sadness that we share the news of Sonny's passing in Los Angeles on Sunday January 24th of Covid Related Pneumonia," read the statement. Karika who went on to star on the dating show Heartbreak Island in 2018 had just finished his barber's apprenticeship, according to Stuff. Roots Classics in '94 and Hall of Fame A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary in '96. After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and with her Louis," Apollo wrote, citing Dukakis' late husband, Louis Zorich. Big in Live and Let Die. Irv Cross, a CBS NFL Today anchor who died in 2021, diagnosed with Born in 1930 in New York, Sondheim grew up next to famous lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, who encouraged his budding passion for music and theater. Longtime ESPN host Saunders dead at age 61 His friend, Shanna Moakler, said Freeman died in his sleep on Nov. 13, 2021, at his home in Austin. He was transported to the hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead at 10:57 p.m. While he hoped to raise the equivalent of about $1,400, he ultimately pulled in over $45 million, according to ABC News. Now: Host and reporter at The Federalist; host of Like it or Not on Fox 5 in Washington D.C. LIKE IT OR NOT: @BrittMcHenry, @GuyLambertNews and @LokayFOX5 discuss if they like the Browns taking Baker Mayfield with the 1st pick & if they are fans of the Redskins' first round pick. He also landed roles in several movies, including Purple Rain (he played Prince's father), The Butler and Reindeer Games. He also took home two Golden Globes, once in 1965 for most promising newcomer (a since discontinued award) for the film The New Interns, and once for his performance in 1974's romantic comedy A Touch of Class. Banes obtained "a traumatic brain injury and was unable to recover," Williams said. A Warner Bros. She joined ESPN in 2016 to work as an anchor for SportsCenter and was recently chosen to replace Jemele Hill as anchor on the 6 p.m. edition of the flagship show. Pedro was an elite journalist at the highest level and his professional accomplishments are universally recognized, Pitaro said. In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution. More recently, he starred in 2019's Knives Out. The award-winning author of the Red Sparrow series died on April 28 at the age of 69. Gabriel earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1980 for his turn as Dr. Seneca Beaulac on Ryan's Hope, which he starred in for more than 700 episodes from 1975 to 1989. "We are saddened by the passing of Beverly Cleary, one of the most beloved children's authors of all time. ESPN Anchor Fired After Being Caught On Mic Actually Talking About McClure, whose last race was in 2016, spent the majority of his career in the Xfinity Series. The rapper, born Gregory Jacobs, was found dead in a hotel room. Lloyd's of London insured her breasts for $1 million. From West Side Story to Into the Woods, the songwriter, lyricist and composer's career was unparalleled. "We are devastated and deeply saddened by his sudden, and unexpected passing. Now: MLB columnist for The Athletic; interview-show host for Stadium; MLB Network contributor, Then: ESPN.com columnist Now: WUSA9 sports director and reporter. Wailer first rose to international fame as a founding member of the iconic reggae group, alongside Marley, his childhood friend. Chris Pizzello/AP. Now: College football reporter for The Athletic, Then: ESPN Pac-12 reporter The outlet added that in 2018 alone, he donated some $123 million to Republican PACs and campaigns. Diamond's rep confirmed the actor's cancer diagnosis to PEOPLE the month prior, saying the actor had started chemotherapy for stage 4 small cell carcinoma, a cancer that commonly occurs in the lungs, but can also manifest in the prostate or gastrointestinal tract. Former NFL star Irv Cross, who became the first Black Man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, died on Feb. 28, 2021.And this week, Boston University researchers revealed that Cross suffered from stage 4 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to the Associated Press.Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of CTE, showing the damage that often causes behavioral . ", The statement continued, "Nobody loved football more than Coach. "Forever in our hearts, Big Lou.". Norm Macdonald, the acerbic, sometimes controversial comedian familiar to millions as the "Weekend Update" anchor on "Saturday Night Live" from 1994 to 1998, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles . Darrow, best known for his turn as Manolito Montoya on the 1960s Western television series The High Chaparral, died on March 14. TMZ confirmed that Langley was competing in the Coast to Coast Ensenada-San Felipe 250 off-road race and that his son, Zak, was with him at the time of his death. April 26, 1975-July 26, 2021. "It is with an unspeakably heavy heart that I share the news of my father's passing," the Lost alum, 42, captioned her tribute. In 2004, Steinman previously suffered a stroke, which caused him to temporarily lose his ability to speak. Discovery Company. McMurtry's career spanned more than 50 years, during which time he wrote more than 30 novels, including Lonesome Dove, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1986, as well as Terms of Endearment and The Evening Star. He suffered so many head injuries in his rookie season that his Eagles teammates called him "Paper Head. Before his turn on Please Don't Eat the Daisies, he also starred in The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and made guest appearances on Hazel, The Addams Family, My Favorite Martian, The Andy Griffith Show and My Three Sons. BabylonBee.com. The Grammy winner died in Connecticut, according to TMZ. He just wanted me to be there.". "He never had a cigarette in his mouth, he never had a taste of alcohol, he didn't chew (tobacco), he didn't cuss. Kotto's career began in the early 1960s, with his role as an extra in 4 for Texas, the Frank Sinatra- and Dean Martin-led comedy Western. More importantly, Pedro was a kind, dear friend to us all.. Vince Cellini. Aaker earned a number of other acting credits before his big break in 1954, both on television and the big screen. In 2016, he starred as the Archbishop of Canterbury in season 1 of The Crown. Liz Cross said her husband never experienced regret over his football career. The longtime journalist earned a number of accolades throughout his career, including two Peabody Awards and inductions into the National Radio Hall of Fame and Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Rest In Peace Peter Mark Richman.". "I can confirm my good friend, co-worker, and all around inspiration, Jahmil French, passed away yesterday," Safran wrote. He was 81. Now: Professional tennis player, Then: ESPN NFL analyst He was 66. The actor additionally landed roles in other prominent shows, including Days of Our Lives, Generations, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Seinfeld, and appeared in films such as The Hiding Place (1975) and The Return of Superfly (1990). Will our teen daughters acknowledge us publicly? The character actor's publicist, Michael B. Druxman, announced the news on his Facebook page, writing, "Rest in peace, my friend. So far, in 2022, we've had to say goodbye to some notable Black people. #deezerd," Emmery captioned a series of photos, which featured family snaps and pictures of the late actor and musical performer's career highlights. More recently, in 2011, he starred as the aging Lothario, Norman Cousins, in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel in 2015. He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me. He was 73. She won the race first in 1996, and again with her BMW team the following year. "From litigating Roe v. Wade, to serving in the Texas House, to supporting countless women in politics, she has left a legacy of fighting for progress that is nearly unmatched.". The native New Yorker was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2012. Norm Macdonald, 'Saturday Night Live' Comedian, Dies at 61 Chris Nowinski, the founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, said that, when he met with Cross in 2018, "it was very clear" the former Eagle was suffering. The Jamaica, Queens native's acting career began in the early 1960s and spanned six decades. He was 69. When he returned, he founded his own record labels, per EW. Now: Unclear, Then: ESPN.com Pac-12 reporter AwfulAnnouncing.com is a Sports fan web site and is in no way affiliated with any media organization, any professional sports league, team, organization, or its Properties. She was 64. She was 34. The Texas lawyer, who successfully argued the 1973 landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, has died. She hosts her own prime time political franchise called Town Hall America with Harris Faulkner and also a daily daytime show The Faulkner Focus.A much-respected figure in the TV industry, she is the recipient of six Emmy Awards and the Amelia Earhart Pioneering Lifetime Achievement Award. The song topped the Billboard R&B chart, according to the Times. On the big screen, his film credits include the Safdie brothers' Good Time, Alejandro G. Irritu's Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and Steven Soderbergh's Side Effects. Michael Tran/FilmMagic. She was 96. Born in Italy in 1942, Zampatti moved to Australia with her family in 1950 and then later moved to Sydney in her twenties, where she went on to launch her first collection in 1965. It is my hope that those who have an inkling to play, write, perform or otherwise, do so," wrote the composer. During a podcast interview, Sage Steele made controversial comments on former President Obama's race and female journalists experiencing harassment. Ernie Johnson's son Michael dies at age of 33 | CNN Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. ", "I honestly don't know what I'm going to do, but I know he'll be with me," she added. Donner started as an actor but quickly made the pivot to directing. Betty White. After playing football in high school, he went on to play at Northwestern before signing on with the Eagles, then the Rams before returning to the Eagles. Lasorda, who began as a pitcher before taking on the role of manager of the Dodgers from the 70s to 90s had just been discharged from the hospital two days prior after being hospitalized in November for an undisclosed medical issue, ESPN reported. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, first published in 1969, has gone on to sell more than 55 million copies and has been translated into more than 70 languages. He was 58. "The entire BET family mourns the passing of one of our own, Ms. Ashley Gerren Taylor, beloved star of BET's Baldwin Hills," BET announced in a statement. The former Minnesota Vikings coach died on May 12. Born in 1950 in Fort Worth, Texas, Gilliland got his career start at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago. His novels Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies and Pleasure all landed spots on The New York Times best-seller list. Long's former bandmates Valli, 86, and Bob Gaudio, 78, confirmed the news in a statement they jointly shared on Facebook. "But that wasn't who he was at the end. After retiring at the end of the 1959-60 season, he went on to coach for the Rangers, Blues, and Hartford Whalers. The groundbreaking designer died at age 41 after a private two-year battle with cancer, PEOPLE confirmed on Nov. 28. The Australian fashion designer died on March 27 following a fall at an opera opening the week before, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Now: Regional director of Trupanion pet health insurance, Then: ESPN NBA Draft reporter The novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter died on March 25 of heart failure, PEOPLE confirmed.