In Memoriam: Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter Bo Goldman Passes Away at 90
Helendale, CA – Bo Goldman, the renowned screenwriter who won Academy Awards for his contributions to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and Melvin and Howard (1980), sadly passed away at the age of 90. Director Todd Field, Goldman’s son-in-law, confirmed the news, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
Goldman’s career soared to great heights when director Milos Forman stumbled upon his first screenplay and invited him to adapt Ken Kesey’s novel, “Cuckoo’s Nest,” for the big screen. The resulting script not only won Goldman an Oscar for Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material, but it also secured the prestigious Best Picture award for the film.
In 1980, Goldman clinched his second Oscar, this time for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen with the critically acclaimed Melvin and Howard. Over the years, Goldman collaborated with director Martin Brest on several remarkable projects such as Scent of a Woman (1992) and Meet Joe Black (1998), further cementing their respective places in cinema history.
Born in New York City, Goldman received his education at prestigious institutions such as Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton University. Interestingly, it was a typographical error during his college days that resulted in him legally changing his name from “Bob” to “Bo.” An accidental omission of the second “b” on a college newspaper caught Goldman’s attention, leading to this unusual alteration.
Early in his career, Goldman started as an assistant to renowned composer Jule Styne and also ventured into writing for popular live television programs. His first major breakthrough came with the Broadway production Shoot the Moon in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Coincidentally, it was this work that attracted the attention of Milos Forman, catapulting Goldman into the world of film.
Apart from his legendary contributions to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Melvin and Howard, Goldman also had an extensive filmography. Some of his other notable screenwriting credits include The Flamingo Kid (1984), Little Nikita (1988), and City Hall (1996).
Goldman is survived by his son, four daughters, as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, his wife and one of his sons predeceased him. As of now, no details regarding any memorials or funeral arrangements have been announced. The world mourns the loss of this remarkable talent, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and artists to come.
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