Multitalented movie man Buck Henry has died at age 89.
The longtime actor/writer/director died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, Deadline reported.
Henry was nominated for two Academy Awards in his lengthy career. The first was for best adapted screenplay for 1967's "The Graduate" and the second was for best director for 1978's "Heaven Can Wait," which he co-directed with Warren Beatty.
Henry co-created the original "Get Smart" series, which ran on TV from 1965 to 1970, alongside Mel Brooks. Henry was also part of the initial run of "Saturday Night Live," hosting the show 10 times between 1976 and 1980. Henry frequently appeared with John Belushi in the "Samurai" sketches.
"The Graduate" was one of several films that Henry wrote and played a small role in. That list also includes "Catch-22" and "What's Up, Doc?" Later in his career, he made guest appearances on "30 Rock" and "Law and Order: SVU," among other shows.
In an Archive of American Television interview, Henry said he, director Mike Nichols and star Dustin Hoffman were kindred spirits on "The Graduate," a commercial and critical smash in 1967.
"All of us," Henry said, "identified, with the sense of alienation of a young man who doesn't really know what he's going to be doing in five years and doesn't know what he wants to do in five years, and doesn't really want to sleep with his parents' friends, but still, as long as they're there ... "
In all, Henry _ born Buck Henry Zimmerman in New York in 1930 _ appeared in more than 40 films.
Writer/producer Larry Karaszewski, who wrote the new Eddie Murphy movie "Dolemite is My Name," tweeted, "R.I.P. Buck Henry _ our most fearless screenwriter. Buck was also a big personality & a performer ... he gave screenwriting a face. Growing up I could turn on Saturday Night LIve (which Buck hosted 10 times) and point to the funniest, smartest guy and say _ that's a screenwriter."
Actress Rosanna Arquette also saluted Henry on Twitter, writing, "Rest In Peace dear BUCK Henry you always made me laugh .love love"
