The man who wrote the The Exorcist - William Peter Blatty - has died aged 89. The writer and filmmaker died on Thursday at a hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, his widow Julie said. The cause of death was multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, she said. Blatty's tale of demonic possession gave millions the fright of their lives and was a best-selling novel and Oscar-winning movie. It sold 10 million copies and the 1973 film, starring Linda Blair, and directed by William Friedkin, topped $400m (£325m) worldwide. Friedkin tweeted: "William Peter Blatty, dear friend and brother who created The Exorcist passed away yesterday." The story is inspired by the 1949 exorcism of Roland Doe. It focuses on the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl and her mother's attempts to have her exorcised by two priests. The movie had modest expectations, opening at only 26 cinemas across the US. But it became a major commercial success, earning 10 Oscar nominations and winning two (Best Sound and Best Adapted Screeplay). It was the first horror film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Blatty went on to write and direct the second sequel The Exorcist III, as well as novels including Elsewhere, Dimiter and Demons Five. His film credits include A Shot in the Dark, Promise Her Anything and The Great Bank Robbery. SOURCE: skynews Posted on 13/01/17