The Oscar-winning screenwriter died of natural causes following a short illness on Monday (23) in Los Angeles. He was 87.

Pierson won the original screenplay Oscar for Dog Day Afternoon in 1976 and earned nominations for writing Cat Ballou in 1966 and Cool Hand Luke two years later.

He also wrote and directed A Star Is Born and at the time of his death served as writing and consulting producer on TV hits Mad Men and The Good Wife.

Pierson served as president of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences from 2001-2005 and was governor of the writers branch for 17 years.

In a statement Academy governor (writers branch) Phil Robinson said: “Young rock ‘n rollers always look to the old bluesmen as models of how to keep their art strong and rebellious into older years. For screenwriters, Frank has been our old blues master for a long time… He was both a great and a good man, I miss him already, and I feel very, very lucky to have known him.”

A private funeral for the family will take place this week and a public memorial will be planned in the near future

Pierson is survived by his wife Helene, his children Michael and Eve and five grandchildren.

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