Elmore Leonard Dead: 'Get Shorty' and 'Justified' Writer Dies at 87
Elmore Leonard, celebrated crime novelist and Hollywood writer whose work spawned films like Get Shorty and Jackie Brown, died on Aug. 20 after having suffered a stroke three weeks ago. He was 87 years old.
News of his death was posted on his website and also by Leonard's researcher via a post on his Facebook page stating:
"The post I dreaded to write, and you dreaded to read. Elmore passed away at 7:15 this morning from complications from his stroke. He was at home surrounded by his loving family. More to follow."
Leonard's most recent work was showcased in the FX series Justified which stars Timothy Olyphant. The show is based on Leonard's last novel, Raylan (2012), which featured U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, the character portrayed by Olyphant on Justified. The fifth season of the show will premiere next year. Leonard was also an executive producer for the show.
Leonard was born in New Orleans in 1925 and is noted for his contribution to the genres of Western and hard-boiled crime thrillers in both literature and cinema. A host of television shows and movies like Jackie Brown, Get Shorty, Justified, Yuma, and 3:10, have been based on his works. Some of the crime novelist's most notable books include Get Shorty, Freaky Deeky, and Glitz.
In 2001, the writer wrote a piece for the New York Times sharing his ten rules of writing which start with:
1. Never open a book with weather
2. Avoid prologues
3. Never use a verb other than 'said' to carry a dialogue.
Leonard would have been 88 in October.
