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| | 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 = ], |
| birth_place = ], Michigan, 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 ]. |
'''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 ]. | ||
| ==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| Luedtke was born in |
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|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 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 ] 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 |
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 |accessdate=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|accessdate=May 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="KNT" /> | ||
| Luedtke left the Free Press and quit journalism altogether in 1978.<ref name="Freep obit"/> |
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. |
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"/> | ||
| Luedtke died on August 9, 2020 |
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 to his death.<ref name="Freep obit"/> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 10 August 2020
American screenwriter
| Kurt Luedtke | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1939-09-28)September 28, 1939 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 2020(2020-08-09) (aged 80) Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Brown University Medill School of Journalism |
| Occupations |
|
Kurt Luedtke (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 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.
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 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 (December 22, 1985). "Dream Wasn't Impossible for Screenwriter Luedtke". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- 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.
- "Out of Africa (1985)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Kurt Luedtke". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Random Hearts (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
External links
- Kurt Luedtke at IMDb