'Brian's Song,' 'Roots,' 'Purple Rain' writer William Blinn dies at 83

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

‘Brian’s Song,’ ‘Roots,’ ‘Purple Rain’ writer dies at 83

By LYNN ELBER
October 24, 2020

LOS ANGELES (AP) — William Blinn, a screenwriter for the landmark TV projects “Brian’s Song” and “Roots” and the Prince film “Purple Rain,” has died. He was 83.

Blinn died Thursday of natural cases at an assisting living community in Burbank, California, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, said Saturday.

He won Emmy and Peabody honors for the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” which dramatized the friendship of Chicago Bears players Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers. It was a hit when it aired and is a enduring favorite with sports fans and critics.

Last month, Hall of Fame running back Sayers died at age 77.

Blinn’s work on “Roots,” the blockbuster 1977 miniseries adapted from Alex Haley’s book about his African American ancestors in slavery and freedom, won an Emmy and a Humanitas Prize.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-alex-haley-los-angeles-california-prince-57d814e49efab75deb190c5062bbd0d7


FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 11, 1977 file photo, Screenwriter William Blinn, left, Ed Asner, center, and David Greene pose with their Emmy statuettes at the annual Primetime Emmy Awards presentation in Los Angeles. William Blinn, a screenwriter for the landmark TV projects “Brian’s Song”, “Roots” and the Prince film “Purple Rain,” has died, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. He was 83. (AP Photo/File)

[saidsimplesimon]

1. Thanks for setting me straight

I thought this was a song written by Prince.