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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{short description|American screenwriter|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Short description|American screenwriter and newspaper editor (1939–2020)}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Kurt Luedtke | name = Kurt Luedtke
| birth_date = {{birth date|1939|9|28|mf=yes}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1939|9|28|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = ], ], U.S. | birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|8|9|1939|9|28|mf=yes}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2020|8|9|1939|9|28|mf=yes}}
| death_place = ], U.S. | death_place = ], U.S.
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| alma_mater = ]<br>] | alma_mater = ]<br>]
}} }}
'''Kurt Luedtke''' (September 28, 1939{{spnd}}August 9, 2020) was an American screenwriter and executive editor of the '']''. He wrote '']'' (1985), for which he won the ]. He also wrote '']'' (1981), for which he was nominated for the ], as well as '']'' (1999). All three films were directed by ]. '''Kurt Luedtke''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|uː|t|k|i}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/standards-guidelines/ijkl/#l|title=Say How: L|publisher=National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled|access-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref> September 28, 1939{{spnd}}August 9, 2020) was an American screenwriter and executive editor of the '']''. He wrote '']'' (1985), for which he won the ]. He also wrote '']'' (1981), for which he was nominated for the ], as well as '']'' (1999). All three films were directed by ].


==Early life== ==Early life==
Luedtke was born in ],<ref name="Freep obit">{{cite news|title=Kurt Luedtke, former Free Press editor and Oscar-winning screenwriter, dies at 80|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/08/09/kurt-luedtke-former-free-press-editor-and-oscar-winning-writer-dies/3315562001/|first=Tim|last=Kiska|date=August 9, 2020|accessdate=August 9, 2020|newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> on September 28, 1939.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=dooYAAAAIAAJ&q=Kurt+Luedtke+%22september+28,+1939%22&dq=Kurt+Luedtke+%22september+28,+1939%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwicpqaxko_rAhVhMX0KHWh-AL8Q6AEwAHoECAAQAg|title=Detroit's Powers & Personalities|publisher=Momentum Books|year=1989|last=Kiska|first=Tim|page=135|isbn=9780961872618}}</ref> His father, Herman, worked as a lumber broker; his mother was Virginia. He obtained a bachelor's degree from ], before joining the fast-track summer law program at the ]. However, he switched career paths after traveling to the ] to witness the unfolding ] and penned several articles on the subject as a freelancer. He subsequently studied at the ] of ].<ref name="Freep obit"/> Luedtke was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan<ref name="Freep obit">{{cite news|title=Kurt Luedtke, former Free Press editor and Oscar-winning screenwriter, dies at 80|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/08/09/kurt-luedtke-former-free-press-editor-and-oscar-winning-writer-dies/3315562001/|first=Tim|last=Kiska|date=August 9, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020|newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> on September 28, 1939.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dooYAAAAIAAJ&q=Kurt+Luedtke+%22september+28,+1939%22|title=Detroit's Powers & Personalities|publisher=Momentum Books|year=1989|last=Kiska|first=Tim|page=135|isbn=9780961872618}}</ref> His father, Herman, worked as a lumber broker; his mother was named Virginia. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Brown University, then joined the fast-track summer law program at the ]. However, he switched career paths after traveling to the Southern United States to observe the unfolding ] and penned several articles on the subject as a freelancer. He then studied at the Medill School of Journalism of Northwestern University.<ref name="Freep obit"/>


==Career== ==Career==
Luedtke became a newspaper reporter, first in ], ], and then at the '']''.<ref name="KNT">{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1985-12-22-0340820282-story.html |first=Diane |last=Haithman |title=Dream Wasn't Impossible for Screenwriter Luedtke |work=] |date=December 22, 1985 |accessdate=March 25, 2019}}</ref> Luedtke then moved to the '']'' in 1965. He started off as general assignment reporter, before rising to executive editor at age 33.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kamer|first1=Foster|title=New York Times Top Brass Trolled by Former Editor Armed with Embarrassing Anecdote|url=http://observer.com/2012/04/kurt-luedtke-william-schmidt-new-york-times-04162012/|website=Observer.com|publisher=The New York Observer|accessdate=May 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="KNT" /> Luedtke became a newspaper reporter, first in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then at the ''Miami Herald''.<ref name="KNT">{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1985-12-22-0340820282-story.html |first=Diane |last=Haithman |title=Dream Wasn't Impossible for Screenwriter Luedtke |work=] |date=December 22, 1985 |access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref> Luedtke moved to the '']'' in 1965. He started off as general assignment reporter, then rose to executive editor at age 33.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kamer|first1=Foster|title=New York Times Top Brass Trolled by Former Editor Armed with Embarrassing Anecdote|url=http://observer.com/2012/04/kurt-luedtke-william-schmidt-new-york-times-04162012/|website=Observer.com|publisher=The New York Observer|access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="KNT" />


Luedtke left the Free Press and quit journalism altogether in 1978.<ref name="Freep obit"/> He subsequently moved to ] to break into the film business, where his only entry was as a screenwriter.<ref name="KNT" /> His intention was to write a book, but his idea for a book about reporting came to the attention of ], which optioned it before it was written for $20,000 and pitched it to director ], who liked it but was unavailable to help on the screenplay.<ref name="KNT" /> Luedtke offered to write the screenplay for free providing that he could have his idea back if Orion didn't proceed with the movie.<ref name="KNT" /> Ultimately, Sydney Pollack was available to direct the movie, which became '']'', beginning the working relationship between the two men.<ref name="KNT" /> Luedtke received a nomination for the ], a rare accomplishment for a first-time screenwriter. He again collaborated with Pollack in '']'' (1985).<ref name="Freep obit"/> The film won seven Oscars (from eleven nominations),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/out_of_africa|title=Out of Africa (1985)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> including Luedtke's award for ].<ref name="Freep obit"/> His final partnership with Pollack came in '']'', which was released in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kurt_luedtke|title=Kurt Luedtke|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/random_hearts|title=Random Hearts (1999)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> Luedtke left the Free Press and quit journalism altogether in 1978.<ref name="Freep obit"/> He moved to Hollywood to break into the film business, where his only entry was as a screenwriter.<ref name="KNT" /> His intention was to write a book, but his idea for a book about reporting came to the attention of ], which optioned it before it was written for $20,000 and pitched it to director ], who liked it but was unavailable to help on the screenplay.<ref name="KNT" /> Luedtke offered to write the screenplay for free providing that he could have his idea back if Orion didn't proceed with the movie.<ref name="KNT" /> Ultimately, Sydney Pollack was available to direct the movie, which became '']'', beginning the working relationship between the two men.<ref name="KNT" /> Luedtke received a nomination for the ], a rare accomplishment for a first-time screenwriter. He again collaborated with Pollack in '']'' (1985).<ref name="Freep obit"/> The film won seven Oscars (from 11 nominations),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/out_of_africa|title=Out of Africa (1985)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> including Luedtke's award for ].<ref name="Freep obit"/> His final partnership with Pollack came in '']'', released in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kurt_luedtke|title=Kurt Luedtke|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/random_hearts|title=Random Hearts (1999)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Luedtke was married to Eleanor for 55 years until his death. The two met while they were working at the '']''. He recovered from cancer on two occasions.<ref name="Freep obit"/> Luedtke was married to Eleanor for 55 years until his death. The two met while they were working at the ''Miami Herald''. He recovered from cancer on two occasions.<ref name="Freep obit"/>


On August 9, 2020, Luedtke died from multiple organ failure at Beaumont Hospital in ], at the age of 80.<ref name="Freep obit"/><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/arts/kurt-luedtke-newspaperman-turned-screenwriter-dies-at-80.html|title = Kurt Luedtke, Newspaperman Turned Screenwriter, Dies at 80|date = August 13, 2020|access-date = August 13, 2020|last = Seelye|first = Katharine Q.|work = ]}}</ref>
Luedtke died on August 9, 2020, at ] in ]. He was 80, and suffered a long illness in the time leading up to his death.<ref name="Freep obit"/>


==References== ==References==
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{{AcademyAwardBestAdaptedScreenplay 1981-2000}} {{AcademyAwardBestAdaptedScreenplay 1981-2000}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 1983–1999}}


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Latest revision as of 17:28, 20 December 2022

American screenwriter and newspaper editor (1939–2020)
Kurt Luedtke
Born(1939-09-28)September 28, 1939
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 2020(2020-08-09) (aged 80)
Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materBrown University
Medill School of Journalism
Occupations
  • Journalist
  • Screenwriter

Kurt Luedtke (/ˈluːtki/; September 28, 1939 – August 9, 2020) was an American screenwriter and executive editor of the Detroit Free Press. He wrote Out of Africa (1985), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also wrote Absence of Malice (1981), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, as well as Random Hearts (1999). All three films were directed by Sydney Pollack.

Early life

Luedtke was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 28, 1939. His father, Herman, worked as a lumber broker; his mother was named Virginia. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Brown University, then joined the fast-track summer law program at the University of Michigan Law School. However, he switched career paths after traveling to the Southern United States to observe the unfolding civil rights movement and penned several articles on the subject as a freelancer. He then studied at the Medill School of Journalism of Northwestern University.

Career

Luedtke became a newspaper reporter, first in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then at the Miami Herald. Luedtke moved to the Detroit Free Press in 1965. He started off as general assignment reporter, then rose to executive editor at age 33.

Luedtke left the Free Press and quit journalism altogether in 1978. He moved to Hollywood to break into the film business, where his only entry was as a screenwriter. His intention was to write a book, but his idea for a book about reporting came to the attention of Orion Pictures, which optioned it before it was written for $20,000 and pitched it to director George Roy Hill, who liked it but was unavailable to help on the screenplay. Luedtke offered to write the screenplay for free providing that he could have his idea back if Orion didn't proceed with the movie. Ultimately, Sydney Pollack was available to direct the movie, which became Absence of Malice, beginning the working relationship between the two men. Luedtke received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, a rare accomplishment for a first-time screenwriter. He again collaborated with Pollack in Out of Africa (1985). The film won seven Oscars (from 11 nominations), including Luedtke's award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His final partnership with Pollack came in Random Hearts, released in 1999.

Personal life

Luedtke was married to Eleanor for 55 years until his death. The two met while they were working at the Miami Herald. He recovered from cancer on two occasions.

On August 9, 2020, Luedtke died from multiple organ failure at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, at the age of 80.

References

  1. "Say How: L". National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. ^ Kiska, Tim (August 9, 2020). "Kurt Luedtke, former Free Press editor and Oscar-winning screenwriter, dies at 80". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  3. Kiska, Tim (1989). Detroit's Powers & Personalities. Momentum Books. p. 135. ISBN 9780961872618.
  4. ^ Haithman, Diane (December 22, 1985). "Dream Wasn't Impossible for Screenwriter Luedtke". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  5. Kamer, Foster. "New York Times Top Brass Trolled by Former Editor Armed with Embarrassing Anecdote". Observer.com. The New York Observer. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  6. "Out of Africa (1985)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  7. "Kurt Luedtke". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  8. "Random Hearts (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  9. Seelye, Katharine Q. (August 13, 2020). "Kurt Luedtke, Newspaperman Turned Screenwriter, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2020.

External links

Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
1928–1950
1951–1975
1976–2000
2001–present
BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
1983–2000
2001–present
Categories: