Who was William Peter Blatty? Author of The Exorcist who died aged 89
The New Yorker is survived by his wife, Julie Alicia Witbrodt
THE EXORCIST film director William Friedkin announced on January 13 2017 that the author of the book, William Peter Blatty, had passed away.
William Blatty was 89 years old when he died, and he leaves behind a horror legacy. Here's everything we know about the late author...
Who was William Peter Blatty?
William Peter Blatty was a novelist who penned twelve fiction books between the years 1959 and 2016.
Born and raised in New York City, William is of Lebanese descent after his parents moved over from the country before he was born.
He graduated Georgetown University and later got a masters in English Literature at George Washington University.
Growing up in a poor household, William was a devout Roman Catholic, and his writings often revolved around Shakespeare or a crisis of faith.
While he is most known for his work in the horror genre, William actually started his career as a comedy writer, working with director Blake Edwards for a number of screenplays including 1970's Darling Lili - which starred Hollywood icons Rock Hudson and Julie Andrews.
Working under the name Bill Blatty, he also penned scripts for films including The Great Bank Robbery, The Man from the Diners Club and Promise Her Anything.
However, his runaway success was The Exorcist, that tells the story of an exorcism of a twelve-year-old girl who becomes possessed by the Devil, in 1971.
He also released his autobiography in 1973, and titled it I'll Tell Them I Remember You.
The writer was married four times - getting his marriage to Mary Margaret Rigard annulled in 1950, Elizabeth Gilman that same year, tennis player Linda Truru in 1975, and Julie Alice Witbrodt in 1983.
He had seven children.
What happened when William Peter Blatty released The Exorcist?
Despite mainly working in comedy, William's legacy was cemented in the horror genre when he released The Exorcist.
The book was quickly picked up by film exec's, who released the 1973 classic starring Linda Blair as Reagan and Ellen Burstyn as her mother in 1973.
William was awarded the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film that year, but it was banned from the UK as part of the Video Recordings Act of 1984, when James Ferman - the director of the board - refused to give the film a certificate for home distribution.
As a result, the film was unavailable in the UK for nearly ten years, but was re-released in 1998 in cinemas for its 25th anniversary.
It was subsequently reinstated for distribution in its uncut state.
The Curse of The Exorcist
RUMOURS of a curse plaguing the set, cast and crew of the 1973 classic have abounded for years.
From being based on “true” events to on set fires have shrouded the film in yet more otherworldly mystery.
The novel the film was adapted from was allegedly based on the “real life” exorcism of a boy who managed to break out of his restraints and slash the officiating priest’s arm.
Filming was also delayed due to a blaze on the set that destroyed what was supposed to be the MacNeil’s home.
But spookily possessed Reagan’s room was left untouched by the inferno.
The actress who played the demonic child’s mother was injured during filming, and the scream she let out was actually included in the final cut.
Two members of the cast perished while the movie was in post-production, and star Max Von Sydow’s brother died on his first day of shooting.
Actress Linda Blair, who played the possessed child, required bodyguards for six months after the film’s release.
This and other events have led many people to believe the film is cursed and that playing it through a projector would unleash the satanic evil on the world.
Since the film's initial release, The Exorcist has spawned two sequels and two prequels, and become a stage play.
The premise was then developed into a TV series and aired on Fox in September last year with Geena Davis in the leading role.
How and when did the author die?
Blatty died on January 12, 2017 - just five days after his 89th birthday.
William Friedkin announced the loss on his Twitter page a day later, and simply wrote: "William Peter Blatty, dear friend and brother who created The Exorcist passed away yesterday"
He is survived by his wife, Julia Alicia Witbrodt.