David Seidler, Oscar-Winning Writer of The King’s Speech, Passes Away at 86

David Seidler, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The King's Speech, died Saturday while on a fly-fishing expedition in New Zealand. He was 86, reported Variety. "David was in the place he loved most in the world -- New Zealand -- doing what gave him the greatest peace which was fly-fishing," his longtime manager Jeff Aghassi said in a statement. "If given the chance, it is exactly as he would have scripted it." Alec Musser, Renowned 'All My Children' Star, Passes Away at 50.

Seidler earned an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Tom Hooper's 2010 film The King's Speech, which starred Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter. The historical drama also won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. The theatrical version of The King's Speech has been translated into over a half-dozen languages and performed on four continents. The drama was meant to move to Broadway after being presented at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End in 2012, but the COVID epidemic cut it short in 2020. Amanda Elizabeth Davies, Daughter of One Life To Live Actress Erika Slezak, Passes Away at 42.

Screenwriter David Seidler, Known for The King's Speech, Passes Away at 86

Seidler wrote multiple TV movies, including Onassis: The Richest Man in the World (1988), Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988), Whose Child Is This? The War for Baby Jessica (1993), Dancing in the Dark (1995), Come on, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story (1999) and By Dawn's Early Light (2001). He also wrote episodes for 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. Seidler is survived by his adult children, Marc and Maya, reported Variety.