Richard Matheson, the prolific science fiction and fantasy writer whose “I Am Legend” and “The Shrinking Man” were transformed into films, has died. He was 87.
A spokesman for the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films says Mr. Matheson died on Sunday in Los Angeles. No other details were provided.
Several of Mr. Matheson’s works were adapted into movies, including “Hell House” and “What Dreams May Come.”
Mr. Matheson was also responsible for writing several episodes of the TV show “The Twilight Zone.” His instalments included “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” which featured William Shatner as an airplane passenger who spots a gremlin on the plane’s wing.
His science fiction vampire novel “I Am Legend” inspired three film adaptations — “The Last Man on Earth” (1964), “Omega Man” (1971), “I Am Legend” (2007) starring Will Smith.
