It would appear that 2017 has just claimed one of its first major celebrity deaths from the world of cinema. According to William Friedkin (via Twitter), writer / director William Peter Blatty, the man who wrote The Exorcist passed away yesterday. Details surrounding his death were not immediately available, but he had just celebrated his 89th birthday a few days ago. The Exorcist wasn’t the only work he was known for. Blatty also directed a couple of well-regarded films himself in addition to contributing to the screenplays for several other significant films throughout the course of his career. Hit the jump for details.

William Peter Blatty got his start as a writer in 1959 with the book Which Way to Mecca, Jack? and eventually broke into Hollywood as a comedic screenwriter. He co-wrote a handful of Blake Edwards films throughout the ’60s, most notably A Shot in the Dark, the second Pink Panther film (and also widely considered to be the best). He did an uncredited rewrite on The Omega Man starring Charlton Heston before becoming a household name with The Exorcist. Blatty went on to write and direct The Ninth Configuration as well as The Exorcist III, the latter of which is known for one of the best horror jump scares of all time. What are your favourite William Peter Blatty works?