David Seidler, the celebrated screenwriter behind the Oscar-winning film “The King’s Speech,” passed away at the age of 86. His life came to a peaceful end while he was fly-fishing in New Zealand, an activity he deeply loved.
His manager, Jeff Aghassi, shared that David was in his happiest place, doing what he loved most. He mentioned that if David could have chosen his final moments, they would have been exactly like this.
David Seidler’s remarkable talent earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “The King’s Speech” in 2010. The film, directed by Tom Hooper and featuring stars like Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter, also clinched awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
The play adaptation of “The King’s Speech” has reached audiences worldwide, being translated into several languages and performed across four continents. It made its debut at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End in 2012 and was set to open on Broadway but was halted by the COVID pandemic in 2020.
Throughout his career, Seidler wrote a variety of TV movies, including notable titles like “Onassis: The Richest Man in the World” (1988), “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988), and “By Dawn’s Early Light” (2001), among others. He also contributed to several TV series, showcasing his versatile writing skills.
David Seidler leaves behind his adult children, Marc and Maya, who will carry on his legacy.