William Goldman
William Goldman (1931–2018) was an American novelist, playwright, and, most famously, a highly successful and influential screenwriter. His career spanned several decades and multiple genres, and he was known for his witty dialogue, meticulous plotting, and sharp perspective on the craft of storytelling.
Goldman won two Academy Awards for his screenplays: one for the original screenplay of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and another for adapting All the President's Men (1976). His novels often displayed his distinctive narrative voice and meta-commentary, as seen most prominently in The Princess Bride. Goldman's philosophy, often quoted from his books on screenwriting, was simple: "Nobody knows anything," referring to the unpredictable nature of film success. His legacy is defined by his ability to write unforgettable, entertaining, and intelligent stories across both literature and cinema.
