Bo Goldman Cause Of Death, What Happened To Bo Goldman? How Did Bo Goldman Die?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jul 27, 2023
Who was Bo Goldman?
Bo Goldman, a renowned American screenwriter, and playwright, graced the world with his talent and creativity. Born in the vibrant city of New York on September 10, 1932, he left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry until his passing on July 25, 2023. Among his numerous accomplishments, he proudly claimed two prestigious Academy Awards for his outstanding screenplays, contributing to the masterpieces "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and "Melvin and Howard" (1980).
His brilliance earned him two Golden Globe Awards, two Writers Guild of America Awards, and the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers Guild of America in 1998.
Bo Goldman's illustrious journey commenced in television, where he honed his skills by writing for esteemed shows like Playhouse 90 and The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse. His film debut arrived with the screenplay for "The Out of Towners" (1970), which garnered a well-deserved Academy Award nomination. Throughout his career, he continued to weave captivating narratives, contributing to films like "Scent of a Woman" (1992), "City Hall" (1996), and "Meet Joe Black" (1998).
What truly set Goldman apart was his exceptional ability to craft witty and insightful dialogues that resonated with audiences. His screenplays were celebrated for their realistic portrayal of human relationships, capturing the intricate nuances that make us human. His mastery in character development was evident, as he breathed life into his scripts with complex and well-developed characters.
In Hollywood, Bo Goldman was revered and held in high esteem. His work garnered admiration from both critics and the public alike, leaving a profound influence on fellow screenwriters. He was a true maestro of his craft, and his cinematic creations will continue to be cherished and enjoyed for generations to come.
Bo Goldman Cause Of Death
Bo Goldman, a screenwriting maestro celebrated for his brilliant work on the script of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," has passed away at the remarkable age of 90. The news of his demise was conveyed by his son-in-law, director Todd Field, to the New York Times, stating that Bo Goldman breathed his last in Helendale, California, on Tuesday, 25th July. However, the exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Born into a Jewish family in the vibrant city of New York in 1932, Bo Goldman grew up as one of five children. His father, a Broadway producer who once owned a chain of retail stores, unfortunately, faced financial hardships during the Depression, leading to a significant change in their family's fortune.
Intriguingly, Bo Goldman's parents never formalized their union, and it was only much later that he discovered his father's involvement with another woman and the existence of several half-siblings. Despite the circumstances, Goldman was fortunate enough to attend prestigious schools, believing that his uncle, Samuel, had generously funded his education. His journey in the entertainment world commenced as an assistant to the illustrious Broadway composer, Jule Styne before he proudly served in the US Army.
In 1974, Bo Goldman took a bold step, leaving behind his wife and six children to venture to Los Angeles, seeking a revitalization of his career. It was here that director Milos Forman offered him the golden opportunity to adapt Ken Kesey's novel, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," into an epic cinematic creation.
With collaborative efforts from Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman meticulously crafted the screenplay, which ultimately earned the highest accolades, winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay adapted from other material. The film itself also achieved recognition as Best Picture and talents like Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher received well-deserved Oscars for their outstanding performances.
The year 1980 proved to be yet another milestone in Bo Goldman's career, as his work on "Melvin and Howard" earned him a second Oscar for Best Screenplay written directly for the screen.
What Happened To Bo Goldman?
The passing of Goldman was officially confirmed to The New York Times by none other than his son-in-law, Todd Field, who shared that the event occurred in Helendale, California. Despite the news, the cause of his demise remains undisclosed.
Among an esteemed group of screenwriters, which included names like Paddy Chayefsky, Francis Ford Coppola, Horton Foote, William Goldman, Billy Wilder, and Joel and Ethan Coen, Goldman proudly earned an Oscar for both an original and adapted screenplay, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
In addition to his significant achievements, Goldman received an Academy Award nomination for the 1993 film "Scent of a Woman," according to Variety. He further clinched a Golden Globe for his exceptional work on the same movie.
Notably, Goldman's noteworthy collaboration with Lawrence Hauben on the adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," led to their shared Oscar success in 1976, as revealed by the entertainment news website. Moreover, he added another Golden Globe to his collection for the success of this movie. The film itself garnered numerous accolades, including Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Milos Forman), Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), and Best Actress (Louise Fletcher).
Reflecting on the insecurities that plague a writer's life, Goldman penned an essay for the Times in 1981, confessing, "Even then I hung my head. After all, I had adapted somebody else's work; was it really mine?"
Financially, Goldman received a modest sum of $8,000 for his contribution to "Cuckoo's Nest," but the recognition of an Academy Award and the praise of critics were worth much more, as detailed by Variety.
His next project, "The Rose," emerged in 1979, but it was in the following year that he claimed another Oscar for "Melvin and Howard," for which he enjoyed a solo writing credit.
During the preparation for "Melvin and Howard," Goldman embarked on a three-week research journey in Utah, immersing himself with Melvin Dummar, a service station owner, who unexpectedly inherited millions in the will of the enigmatic billionaire, Howard Hughes. Subsequently, he spent a week with Dummar's ex-wife, Linda, all of which was documented by The Hollywood Reporter.
How Did Bo Goldman Die?
Bo Goldman, the talented screenwriter who won an Academy Award for his exceptional work on "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and "Melvin and Howard" (1980), passed away on Tuesday in Helendale, Calif., at the age of 90.
The news of his demise was confirmed by his son-in-law and director, Todd Field, although the specific cause of his passing was not disclosed.
Bo Goldman's career took a remarkable turn when renowned director Milos Forman discovered and read his initial screenplay, leading to an invitation to adapt Ken Kesey's novel "Cuckoo's Nest" for the silver screen.
The resulting screenplay, a collaboration with Lawrence Hauben, went on to receive accolades, winning the prestigious Oscar for Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material. The film itself was not only named Best Picture but also earned Oscars for Forman, the lead actor Jack Nicholson, and Louise Fletcher, who brilliantly portrayed Nurse Ratched.
In 1980, "Melvin and Howard" secured Goldman his second Oscar, this time for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, further solidifying his reputation as a remarkable wordsmith in the film industry.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bo Goldman also worked alongside director Martin Brest, contributing to the success of two other acclaimed films, "Scent of a Woman" (1992) and "Meet Joe Black" (1998).
Born in New York City, Goldman received his education at Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1953. Interestingly, while writing for the college newspaper under the name Bob Goldman, a typographical error mistakenly omitted the second "b" from his name. Embracing the serendipitous mistake, he legally changed his name to Bo, a decision he cherished.
After completing three years of military service following college, he pursued a career as an assistant to the renowned composer, Jule Styne. Additionally, he exhibited his writing talent by creating patter and other content for live television programs.
Goldman's Broadway credit came in 1959 when he collaborated as one of the lyricists for "First Impressions," a musical based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," produced by Styne's company. Despite his involvement in television, sustained success proved to be elusive for Bo Goldman.
Bo Goldman is survived by his son, Justin Ashforth, and four daughters - Mia Goldman, Amy Goldman, Diana Rathbun, and Serena Rathbun, along with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, his wife and another son predeceased him, and details regarding memorial plans have not been disclosed at this time.
Bo Goldman Cause Of Death - FAQs
The specific cause of Bo Goldman's death has not been disclosed or publicly revealed.
Yes, Bo Goldman's son-in-law and director, Todd Field, confirmed his death to The New York Times. However, no cause of death was mentioned.
As of now, there have been no official reports or speculations regarding the circumstances surrounding Bo Goldman's death.
There is no public information about any known health issues that Bo Goldman may have been facing before his passing.
Yes, Bo Goldman passed away on July 25, 2023, in Helendale, California, according to his son-in-law, Todd Field.