William Peter Blatty (January 7, 1928 – January 12, 2017) was an American author and filmmaker best known for his novel "The Exorcist" and its subsequent film adaptation. Born in New York City, Blatty graduated from Georgetown University before serving in the United States Air Force. After completing his military service, he pursued a career in writing and worked as a publicist, screenwriter, and novelist.
Blatty's most famous work, "The Exorcist," was published in 1971 and tells the story of a young girl who is possessed by a demon and the attempts of a Catholic priest to exorcise the demon from her. The novel became a bestseller and was adapted into a highly successful film directed by William Friedkin in 1973, which went on to become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Blatty also wrote the screenplay for the film and won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In addition to "The Exorcist," Blatty wrote several other novels and screenplays, including "Legion," a sequel to "The Exorcist," and "The Ninth Configuration," which he also adapted into a film. He was also known for his non-fiction work, including his memoir "I'll Tell Them I Remember You."
Blatty was a devout Roman Catholic and his faith played a significant role in his writing. He explored themes of good versus evil, faith, and redemption in his work, and his novels often dealt with religious and supernatural themes. He was also an advocate for the rights of the mentally ill and used his writing to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Blatty passed away in 2017 at the age of 89. He is remembered as a gifted writer and filmmaker whose work continues to captivate and terrify readers and viewers alike.