Oscar-winning writer dies aged 87 (From Epsom Guardian)

Oscar-winning writer dies aged 87

8:59am Tuesday 24th July 2012 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

The Oscar-winning screenwriter of Dog Day Afternoon and Cool Hand Luke has died.

Frank Pierson's family said he died of natural causes in Los Angeles after a short illness. He was 87.

He won an Oscar for writing 1975's Dog Day Afternoon and was nominated for his screenplays for Cool Hand Luke and Cat Ballou. He also wrote and directed 1976's A Star is Born.

Pierson most recently worked as a writer and consulting producer on TV's Mad Men and The Good Wife.

Pierson served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which released the news of his death, from 2001 to 2005 and served as governor of its writers branch for 17 years.

He is survived by his wife, two children and five grandchildren.