Dog Day Afternoon Screenwriter Frank Pierson Dies

(Newsroom America) -- Oscar-winning screenwriter Frank Pierson has died in Los Angeles of natural causes following a short illness. He was 87.

A three-time Academy Award nominee, Pierson won an Oscar for his original screenplay of "Dog Day Afternoon." He received nominations for "Cat Ballou" and "Cool Hand Luke."

Pierson’s writing credits also include "Presumed Innocent" and "A Star Is Born," which he also directed.

Pierson was currently working as Writer and Consulting Producer on the Emmy Award-winning drama "Mad Men" and had served the same duties on numerous episodes of "The Good Wife."

Pierson was president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 2001-2005 and had served as Governor of the Writers Branch for 17 years.

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

There will be a private funeral for the family this week. A public memorial will be planned in the near future.