William Peter Blatty, who wrote the novel The Exorcist and the screenplay for the film adaptation that became one of the most influential horror movies of all time, has died.
Blatty won an Oscar for his screenplay for The Exorcist and later directed The Exorcist III, which he adapted from his novel Legion.
His death was announced on Twitter by The Exorcist film director William Friedkin.
The Exorcist franchise he created has spawned five movies and most recently a TV series.