Larry McMurtry
- Born:
- June 3, 1936, Archer City, Texas, USA
- Died:
- March 25, 2021, Archer City, Texas, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Essayist, Screenwriter, Bookseller
Early Life and Education
- Born on a ranch near Archer City, Texas.
- Graduated from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in 1958 with a B.A. in English.
- Earned an M.A. in English from Rice University in 1960.
- Attended Stanford University as a Wallace Stegner Fellow (1960-1961).
Career and Major Achievements
- Published his first novel, Horseman, Pass By, in 1961, which was later adapted into the film Hud.
- Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986 for his novel Lonesome Dove.
- Co-wrote the screenplay for Brokeback Mountain, which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2006.
- Owned and operated a large antiquarian bookstore, Booked Up, in Archer City, Texas.
- Authored over 30 novels, numerous essays, and screenplays.
Notable Works
Novels
- Horseman, Pass By (1961)
- Leaving Cheyenne (1963)
- The Last Picture Show (1966)
- Lonesome Dove (1985)
- Terms of Endearment (1975)
Screenplays
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Hud | Based on Horseman, Pass By |
| 1971 | The Last Picture Show | Co-writer, nominated for an Academy Award |
| 2005 | Brokeback Mountain | Co-writer, won an Academy Award |
Legacy and Impact
Larry McMurtry was a significant figure in American literature, known for his depictions of the American West, small-town life, and the complexities of human relationships. His work explored themes of change, loss, and the enduring power of the past. Information easily accessible such as on a 'larry mcmurtry wiki' page, reveals how his novels and screenplays had a profound influence on popular culture.