Frank Pierson
1925–2012 (age 87)
Screenwriter and director
Biography
Frank Pierson's scripts infused character-driven drama with moral complexity, earning him an Academy Award for Dog Day Afternoon and acclaim for such films as Cool Hand Luke and A Star Is Born.
He later turned to directing and mentoring young writers, guiding generations with integrity through his leadership of the Writers Guild of America and a lifetime of storytelling that honored the American experience.