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Alan Trustman, the screenwriter of the films Bullitt and The Thomas Crown Affair, died at the age of 95 in a care facility in Miami, according to his son John, who informed The New York Times.
A Unique Career Between Law and Cinema
Trustman was born on December 16, 1930, in Brooklyn, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College with a degree in history in 1952, then earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1955. He began his professional career as a lawyer in Boston, working at the firm Nutter, McClennen & Fish, where his father was a partner, eventually becoming a partner himself.
Transition to Cinema and Notable Works
Trustman entered the world of cinema by chance after deciding to write a better screenplay for a film he saw at an open cinema. He wrote the screenplay for The Thomas Crown Affair, directed by Norman Jewison and starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. He then wrote the screenplay for Bullitt (1968), a famous police thriller known for its iconic car chase scene through the streets of San Francisco, which helped cement McQueen's cool and composed image.
Trustman also wrote They Call Me Mister Tibbs!, a sequel to In the Heat of the Night, starring Sidney Poitier, as well as other works such as Lady Ice and Hit!. After a brief period in Hollywood, he turned to various business ventures in Miami and Switzerland, and authored a thriller novel titled Father’s Day in 1992.
Personal Life and Legacy
Alan Trustman is survived by his wife, Dr. Barbara Buchold, a psychologist, as well as his son, daughter, and 11 grandchildren. Trustman is remembered as a screenwriter who contributed to classic films that left a lasting impact on the history of American cinema.
This news has been re-edited based on a report published by Variety (Film), while preserving the essential facts from the original source.
