Larry McMurtry, 'Lonesome Dove' author and 'Brokeback Mountain' screenwriter, dies at 84

NBC News ^ | 26 Mar 2021 | Wilson Wong and Diana Dasrath

[Rummyfan]

Larry McMurtry, a prolific writer who wrote mostly about the American West and who won a Pulitzer Prize for the sweeping novel "Lonesome Dove," died Thursday, according to a family spokesperson.

He was 84.

Amanda Lundberg confirmed the writer's death to NBC News on Friday. McMurtry died of heart failure at his home in Texas surrounded by his loved ones.

Over half a century, McMurtry wrote almost 50 books, including novels, screenplays, essay collections and memoirs that were predominantly set in the West. Several of his early works became feature films, including Oscar winners "The Last Picture Show" and "Terms of Endearment."

Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, McMurtry drew heavy inspiration for his novels from his time growing up on a ranch.

He was 25 when he wrote his first novel, “Horseman, Pass by,” which examined the changing values in the West after World War II. The book inspired the film “Hud” starring Paul Newman two years later.

His epic 1985 novel, "Lonesome Dove," which focused on a cattle drive from Texas to the Great Plains, was later adapted into a popular television miniseries that starred actors Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover and Diane Lane.

The four-part television series earned many accolades, including 18 Emmy nominations and seven wins.

[Jeff Chandler]

Never saw brokeback mountain

Neither did I, but from what I've read, it's like Deliverance, only with consent.

[leaning conservative]

I always thought Robert Duvall was absolutely robbed of the acting Oscar. He played a rural preacher married to farah Fawcett.....he wrote, directed, & starred.

[Rummyfan]

Mine too. I read Lonesome Dove and a sequel and a couple more of his novels.

Comanche Moon and The Streets of Laredo were pretty good too. His Indian - oops! Native American - characters such as Blue Duck and Buffalo Hump were very non-PC. Plain old simple murdering savages.

[leaning conservative]

“The Apostle”

[Rummyfan]

Yes. Best mini series ever, maybe best TV ever. Could be best “screen” Western ever, up there with Liberty Valance, High Noon and some Eastwood films.

McMurtry originally conceived Lonesome Dove as a screen play with John Wayne as Call, James Stewart as Gus, and Henry Fonda as Jake Spoon. That would have been great too.

Jake didn't like to work, liked a good card game, and a whiskey. I got the same failings myself....

I'm paraphrasing....

[LibertyWoman]

Yes...it’s gripping. Absolutely outstanding.

[Rummyfan]

Justified is Elmore Leonard... who also wrote some great Westerns... Hombre and Joe Kidd being two examples....

[atc23]

The Walker Colt is better for clubbing a man than shooting one. Impressive sidearm carried by Gus McCrae

[Rummyfan]

The Apostle....

[Rummyfan]

They could just give the Academy Awards to Robert Duval and Jeff Bridges every year and be done with it.

[Jeff Chandler]

Elmore Leonard is my favorite author.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[libstripper]

If you're looking for a foreign film that does the same, get the Russian version of ‘War and Peace,” probably the best epic film ever made and one that adheres scrupulously to the original novel.

[bgill]

It isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.

After hearing about Brokeback Mountain, well, just barf.

[doorgunner69]

“and Henry Fonda as Jake Spoon. That would have been great too.”

Yeah, seeing Fonda get strung up would have been great.

[ratzoe]

Lonsome Dove is one of my favorite all-time books. Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call two of the greatest characters ever written. RIP Larry McMurtry.

Absolutely one of the best books I've ever read. The miniseries of the book was 'must see' TV, producers/directors of that series nailed every character. Have the series on DVD and probably watch it at least once a year.

[LibertyWoman]

Epic. It’s my fantasy that we do the same to a long list of political hacks.

[day10]

I haven’t. You recommend it?

[punknpuss]

If you like Fonda getting his comeuppance watch Once Upon a Time in the West. Best Spaghetti Opera ever made.

[Rummyfan]

Mark Steyn on Larry McMurtry and Brokeback Mountain:

Brokeback Mountain

They never got around to making the sequel... Oklahomo....