William Goldman, widely credited as being one of the greatest screenwriters in Hollywood history, has died at the age of 87.

Having come to prominence in the 1950s as a novelist before turning to write for film, scooped Oscar honours with his work on both Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men and was described by author Sean Egan as “one of the late twentieth century’s most popular storytellers.”

It is was initially being reported that Goldman died in his sleep at his home in New York, according to Deadline. Now, his daughter Jenny confirmed his death was the result of colon cancer and pneumonia.

Goldman, born in Chicago and raised in a Jewish family, enjoyed countless successes in his glittering and esteemed career and wrote the screenplay for the widely celebrated Marathon Man, Magic and The Princess Bride all of which he adapted from his own novels.

Upon hearing the news, tributes have poured in as actor Michael Sheen took to social media to say: “William Goldman made my life, like so many millions of others, better and richer and more full of possibility because of what he wrote. What a gift. So sad today and so grateful.”

Mia Farrow added: “Legendary William Goldman, has died. He gave us ‘The Princess Bride’, (book even better than the film) ‘Butch Cassidy-’ screenplay of “All the President’s Men’ and best book on showbiz, ‘Adventures in the Screen Trade’. He was also a true friend. Thank you, dear Bill.”

Adding to tributes, actor Ben Stiller said: “William Goldman was a huge part of creating some of the seminal movies of the 70’s and beyond. His book on screenwriting was a touchstone for me and I always felt star struck and intimidated seeing him at Knicks games.”

William Goldman made my life, like so many millions of others, better and richer and more full of possibility because of what he wrote. What a gift. So sad today and so grateful. #WilliamGoldmanRIP pic.twitter.com/in3YOs8Pgm — michael sheen (@michaelsheen) November 16, 2018

Legendary William Goldman, has died. He gave us ‘The Princess Bride’, ( book even better than the film) ‘Butch Cassidy-’ screenplay of "All the President's Men’ and best book on show biz, ‘Adventures in the Screen Trade’. He was also a true friend. Thank you dear Bill pic.twitter.com/dcwfYPd3ue — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 16, 2018

RIP #WilliamGoldman. One of the greatest most successful screenwriters ever. I was lucky as hell to count Bill as a mentor and a friend. Check his credits & see a William Goldman movie or read a Goldman book over the holiday & give thanks that we had his voice in our world. https://t.co/RWRdCoO1Cm — Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) November 16, 2018