Who Is William Goldman? Age, Biography and Wiki
William Goldman was born on August 12, 1931, and passed away on November 16, 2018, leaving behind an indelible mark in American literature and cinema. He was renowned for his work as a novelist, screenwriter, and playwright. Goldman is best known for his iconic works such as The Princess Bride and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. His ability to blend storytelling with sharp dialogue made him one of the most celebrated figures in Hollywood.
Despite his passing, Goldman’s legacy continues to thrive in 2025, with new generations discovering his works and insight into the art of screenwriting.
| Occupation | Non-Fiction Author |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 12, 1931 |
| Age | 87 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 16 November, 2018 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
William Goldman's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
William Goldman stood approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. His weight fluctuated throughout his life; however, specific measurements are not publicly documented. It's worth noting that Goldman was known more for his intellectual contributions to literature and film than for any specific physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Goldman was married to Marion Goldman in 1961, and the couple had two daughters, Jenny and Scottie. The family was often seen supporting Goldman's work, and they remained a strong unit throughout his career. After Marion’s passing in 2018, the family has focused on preserving and sharing William's literary and cinematic legacy.
As of 2025, William Goldman remains a beloved figure, remembered not just for his professional achievements but for his deep commitment to family.
He grew up in Highland Park, Illinois, and was raised Jewish. Goldman's father was a successful businessman, working in Chicago and in a partnership, but he suffered from alcoholism, which cost him his business. He "came home to live and he was in his pajamas for the last five years of his life," according to Goldman.
His father died by suicide while Goldman was still in high school. It was a 15-year-old Goldman who discovered the body. His mother was deaf, which created additional stress in the home.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2018, William Goldman’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million, primarily earned through his successful career as an author and screenwriter. His works continue to generate revenue from film adaptations, merchandise, and royalty income, ensuring that his financial legacy carries on to benefit his family and support literary projects in his name.
Career, Business and Investments
Goldman's illustrious career spanned over six decades. He won two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President's Men (1976). Additionally, his novel The Princess Bride was adapted into a film, which has since become a cultural phenomenon.
Apart from screenwriting and novel writing, Goldman was an insightful critic of the film industry, providing commentary and advice through various interviews and publications. His business acumen in negotiating contracts and understanding the industry made him a respected figure behind the scenes.
His older brother James Goldman was a playwright and screenwriter. They shared an apartment in New York with their friend John Kander. Also an alumnus of Oberlin, Kander was working on his Ph.D. in music, and the Goldman brothers wrote the libretto for his dissertation.
Kander was the composer of more than a dozen musicals, including Cabaret and Chicago, and all three of them eventually won Academy Awards. On June 25, 1956, Goldman began writing his first novel The Temple of Gold, completing it in less than three weeks.
He sent the manuscript to agent Joe McCrindle, who agreed to represent him; McCrindle submitted the novel to Knopf, who agreed to publish it if he doubled the length. It sold well enough in paperback to launch Goldman on his career. He wrote his second novel Your Turn to Curtsy, My Turn to Bow (1958) in a little more than a week.
It was followed by Soldier in the Rain (1960), based on Goldman's time in the military. It sold well in paperback and was turned into a film, though Goldman had no involvement in the screenplay.
Social Network
While Goldman himself was not heavily involved in contemporary social media platforms, his works have generated fan pages and discussions on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Fans continue to celebrate his legacy through these platforms, sharing quotes, film clips, and fan art inspired by his stories. His family also shares updates related to his work and legacy through various online channels.
Cliff Robertson read an early draft of No Way to Treat a Lady and hired Goldman to adapt the short story Flowers for Algernon for the movies. Before he had even finished the script, Robertson recommended him to do some rewriting on the spy spoof Masquerade (1965), in which Robertson was starring. Goldman did that, then finished the Algernon script.
Robertson disliked it, though, and hired Stirling Silliphant, instead, to work on what became Charly (1968).
Education
William Goldman attended the University of Chicago, where he was exposed to a strong literary and intellectual environment that shaped his writing style. He later earned a degree from Columbia University, where he refined his storytelling skills. Goldman's academic background provided him with a foundation for his successful career in writing and screenwriting.
Goldman attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. According to his memoir Adventures in the Screen Trade (1983), Goldman began to write when he took a creative-writing course in college. His grades in the class were "horrible". He was an editor of Oberlin's literary magazine.
He submitted his short stories to the magazine anonymously; he recalls that the other editors read his submissions and remarked, "We can't possibly publish this shit." He graduated from college in 1952.