William Peter Blatty, the author of the 1971 novel The Exorcist and writer of the subsequent film, has passed away at age 89.

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The news was confirmed by William Friedkin, who directed the film version of Blatty’s terrifying novel.

‘William Peter Blatty, dear friend and brother who created The Exorcist passed away yesterday,’ Friedkin wrote on Twitter.

The writer passed away yesterday, but his death was only confirmed today. The cause of his death hasn’t yet been confirmed.


William Peter Blatty, dear friend and brother who created The Exorcist passed away yesterday — William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) January 13, 2017

While Blatty is best known for writing The Exorcist, the author also wrote a number of other horror novels, including Elsewhere and the Ninth Configuration.



He went on to be a major player in the film industry, winning multiple best screenplay Golden Globes and directing The Ninth Configuration, The Exorcist, and Legion.

Tributes to the writer are already pouring in on Twitter, with fans and those who worked with him praising his contributions to the worlds of film and literature.

Rest in peace William Peter Blatty, writer of both the peerless horror 'The Exorcist' AND the funniest Clouseau film, 'A Shot In The Dark'. — edgarwright (@edgarwright) January 13, 2017

My love for THE EXORCIST III is legendary but THE NINTH CONFIGURATION was the first to blow me away. William Peter Blatty will be so missed. — Jamie Righetti (@JamieRighetti) January 13, 2017

RIP William Petter Blatty. Con Y. https://t.co/5y3Bm8AhAJ — Sebastian Tabany (@SebasTabany) January 13, 2017

R.I.P. William Peter Blatty, who created THE EXORCIST but whose own EXORCIST III includes the most shocking jump-scare I've ever seen. — Scott Tobias (@scott_tobias) January 13, 2017

RIP to William Peter Blatty, whose mind gave us one of the most amazing, chilling and enduring horror stories ever created. pic.twitter.com/jsOu1Mww1S — Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) January 13, 2017

Gutted hearing the news about William Peter Blatty. No book on earth can give you an adrenaline rush quite like The Exorcist does. — Batty (@Hannah_Bee_7) January 13, 2017

RIP William Peter Blatty. Thanks for scaring the hell out of us. #TheExorcist — Casserole-o-Disaster (@Veggiemacabre) January 13, 2017

So farewell then, William Peter Blatty. — Gaz (@horrordwarf) January 13, 2017

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