Story highlights He wrote the best-selling horror novel and produced the Oscar-winning movie

Blatty had form of blood cancer and was diagnosed last month, widow says

(CNN) Author and filmmaker William Peter Blatty, who scared millions with the best-selling novel and Oscar-winning movie "The Exorcist," has died.

Blatty passed away Thursday evening at a hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, his widow, Julie Alicia Blatty, told CNN. He was 89.

"It was multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. He was only diagnosed last month," she said. "We were married for 33 years."

Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 The silhouetted image of actor Max von Sydow, playing Father Merrin, was featured on the poster for the 1973 theatrical release of "The Exorcist." It remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Based on a 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, it was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Hide Caption 1 of 7 Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 In this photo from the movie, Chris MacNeil, played by actress Ellen Burstyn, walks with her daughter Regan, played by Linda Blair, before Regan began exhibiting strange behavior. Hide Caption 2 of 7 Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 Chris MacNeil, right, looks on in horror as her daughter, left, is controlled by a demon. Hide Caption 3 of 7 Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 Regan MacNeil is possessed by what she says is "the devil." Film critic and author Richard Crouse told CNN he recalled "stories about people throwing up at screenings." Hide Caption 4 of 7 Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 The priests prepare to exorcise the demon out of Regan. Hide Caption 5 of 7 Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 Makeup artist Dick Smith transformed Regan from cherub to demon. A mechanical dummy performed the famous 360-degree head rotation. Her projectile vomit was pea soup and oatmeal. Hide Caption 6 of 7 Photos: 'The Exorcist' turns 40 Regan sits up in bed as the priests try to cast out the demon. Wires were used to levitate Linda Blair from her bed. A scene of her spider-walking down stairs, which couldn't be shown in the initial release because the wires showed, was fixed with CGI and added to a 2000 re-release. Hide Caption 7 of 7

Blatty is best known for the 1971 New York Times best-seller "The Exorcist" and the film adaption of the novel, released in 1973, on which he served as producer and writer.

The horror story was about a child, played by actress Linda Blair, who was possessed by a demon.

Read More