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| {{short description|American screenwriter|bot=PearBOT 5}} | {{short description|American screenwriter|bot=PearBOT 5}} | ||
| '''Kurt Luedtke''' (September 28, 1939{{spnd}}August 9, 2020) was an American screenwriter and executive editor of the '']''. He was |
'''Kurt Luedtke''' (September 28, 1939{{spnd}}August 9, 2020) was an American screenwriter and executive editor of the '']''. He was noted for writing '']'' (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== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| 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 authoring several articles on the subject as a freelancer. He consequently studied at the ] of ].<ref name="Freep obit"/> | |||
| ==Career== | |||
| 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>{{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> | |||
| ⚫ | 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=22 December 1985 |accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref> Luedtke then moved to the '']'' in 1965, 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=9 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="KNT" /> At 38, he chose to quit and move 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" /> | ||
| ==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 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== | ||
Revision as of 22:37, 9 August 2020
American screenwriterKurt Luedtke (September 28, 1939 – August 9, 2020) was an American screenwriter and executive editor of the Detroit Free Press. He was noted for writing 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 Virginia. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Brown University, before joining 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 witness the unfolding civil rights movement and authoring several articles on the subject as a freelancer. He consequently 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 then moved to the Detroit Free Press in 1965, rising to executive editor at age 33. At 38, he chose to quit and move 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.
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.
Luedtke died on August 9, 2020, at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. He was 80, and suffered a long illness in the time leading up to his death.
References
- ^ 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.
- Kiska, Tim (1989). Detroit's Powers & Personalities. Momentum Books. p. 135. ISBN 9780961872618.
- ^ Haithman, Diane (22 December 1985). "Dream Wasn't Impossible for Screenwriter Luedtke". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
- Kamer, Foster. "New York Times Top Brass Trolled by Former Editor Armed with Embarrassing Anecdote". Observer.com. The New York Observer. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
External links
- Kurt Luedtke at IMDb
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