Oscar-Winning Screenwriter David Seidler Passes Away at 86

Renowned screenwriter David Seidler, best known for his exceptional work on the Oscar-winning film ‘The King's Speech‘, has sadly passed away at the age of 86.

Jeff Aghassi, Seidler’s manager, confirmed that the London-born writer breathed his last during a serene fly-fishing expedition in New Zealand on Saturday.

Seidler, who battled a speech impediment in his youth, drew inspiration from the remarkable true story of King George VI overcoming his stammer with the aid of a speech therapist.

‘The King’s Speech’, starring the talented Colin Firth, propelled Seidler to Oscar and BAFTA glory, with Firth also clinching the coveted Best Actor awards for his portrayal of King George VI.

Accepting his Oscar in 2011, Seidler dedicated the accolade to ‘all the stutterers around the world’, expressing gratitude to the Queen amidst a light-hearted moment.

Seidler’s creativity extended beyond the big screen, as he successfully brought ‘The King’s Speech’ to the stage with a captivating adaptation that premiered in London’s West End in 2012.

Aside from his acclaimed work on ‘The King’s Speech’, Seidler crafted stories for animated children’s musicals such as ‘The King And I‘, ‘Quest For Camelot’, and ‘Madeline: Lost in Paris’, showcasing his versatile talent.

His career milestones included earning the Writers Guild award for the 1988 biopic ‘Onassis: The Richest Man In The World’, featuring Raul Julia‘s compelling performance as the iconic Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

Collaborating with legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Seidler co-wrote the biographical comedy ‘Tucker: The Man And His Dream’, a production that starred Jeff Bridges in the lead role of innovator Preston Tucker.