Melissa Mathison, screenwriter of one of cinema’s most popular and beloved films, has died at the age of 65.
The screenwriter of Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” passed away after an illness, according to Variety. But before earning critical acclaim for the story of the lonely boy who befriends an alien, she became known for writing “The Black Stallion.”
The stars aligned for her second screenplay, “E.T.” In a 2012 interview, to commemorate its 30th anniversary Mathison said, “Steven and I shared our imagination on this story; we both brought our own memories and strengths.” The 1982 film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and it remains one of the highest grossing films of all time.
After the success of “E.T.,” she went on to write for other projects, including “The Indian in the Cupboard” (directed by Frank Oz) and “Kundun.”
Her final writing credit is for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film “The BFG,” based on the Roald Dahl story. The movie, currently in post-production, is scheduled to open July 1, 2016.
Mathison was also married to Harrison Ford until the pair divorced in 2004.
But “E.T.” will be her legacy. The movie captured the minds and hearts of audiences for generations, and more than thirty years later we still say “E.T. phone home!” And when E.T. tells Elliott “I’ll be right here” as John Williams’ music swells in the background, we still cry. Well, some of us do. I cry. It’s a film about friendship. About accepting differences. About families that may not be perfect but they stick together. And how some of us still dream about places beyond the stars.
Her final collaboration reunited her with Spielberg, and we still have that to look forward to. Her work, and her words, will live on in the movies.