William Blatty

William Peter Blatty is a renowned American author and screenwriter, best known for his novel and screenplay adaptation of "The Exorcist." Born in New York City to immigrant parents, Blatty went on to study English at Georgetown University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1950. He later earned his master's degree in English literature from the George Washington University in 1954.

Blatty's career in writing spanned over four decades, during which he established himself as a versatile writer, working on a wide range of genres from humor to horror, science fiction, and thriller. Before his breakthrough with "The Exorcist," Blatty wrote humorous novels and screenplays, including a humorous autobiography. He also wrote the screenplays for several comedy films, such as "A Shot in the Dark," "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?" and "Darling Lili."

"The Exorcist," published in 1971, brought Blatty international acclaim and solidified his place in the literary world. The novel, which tells the story of a young girl's possession by a demonic entity and the subsequent exorcism, became a bestseller and was later adapted into a successful film. Blatty's screenplay adaptation of "The Exorcist" earned him an Academy Award. He also wrote and directed the sequel "The Exorcist III."

In addition to "The Exorcist," Blatty wrote several other notable works, including the novels "Elsewhere," "Dimiter," and "Crazy." He was married to Julie Alicia Blatty and lived in Maryland. Blatty's work has left a lasting impact on the literary and film world, and his legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.