Renowned screenwriter David Seidler passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday, as confirmed by his manager Jeff Aghassi. Seidler breathed his last in New Zealand, a place he cherished deeply, according to Aghassi.
“David was in his beloved place on earth — New Zealand — engaged in his greatest source of tranquility, fly-fishing,” Aghassi commented, noting that Seidler’s final moments mirrored what he would have scripted for himself if given the chance.
Seidler gained widespread acclaim for his work on the 2010 historical drama “The King’s Speech,” directed by Tom Hooper. Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film was both a critical and commercial success, earning Seidler an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Colin Firth also received his first Academy Award for his performance in the film. With twelve major nominations, “The King’s Speech” clinched four wins, including Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards.
Seidler’s talent extended beyond the silver screen. He adapted the film into a stage production, which premiered at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End in 2012. The stage version has since been translated into over six languages, though its Broadway run was interrupted in 2020 due to the pandemic.
In addition to his work on “The King’s Speech,” Seidler penned numerous other films and television shows. Among his notable works are “Onassis: The Richest Man in the World,” “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” “Whose Child Is This? The War for Baby Jessica,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story,” and “By Dawn’s Early Light.”
He also made appearances in numerous television series, such as “Adventures of the Seaspray,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Another World,” “General Hospital,” “The Wonderful World of Disney,” and “Son of the Dragon,” among others.