Playwright Peter Shaffer dies aged 90

Shaffer won the 1984 Oscar for the adaptation of 'Amadeus', one of his most famous theatre works

LONDON: British playwright Peter Shaffer, who won an Oscar for his film adaptation of "Amadeus", one of his most famous theatre works, died Monday aged 90, his agent said.

"It is with great sorrow that we must announce the death of our friend and client, Sir Peter Shaffer CBE whilst on a visit to Ireland with friends and family," Rupert Lord said in a post on his agency's website.

He died at 5:30am (0430 GMT) at a hospital in County Cork, southern Ireland, following a short illness, Lord said.



"Peter was one of the true greats of British theatre as well as a wonderful friend, wickedly funny man and sparkling raconteur whose lifelong passion for his own art was matched by his love for music, painting and architecture," said Lord.

He won the 1984 Oscar for the adaptation of "Amadeus", and received an Academy Award nomination for the screenplay of "Equus".

His other plays include "Black Comedy", "Lettice and Lovage", "The Royal Hunt of the Sun" and "Five Finger Exercise".



"He had been struggling with his health for some time but was both determined and delighted to have been able to celebrate his 90th birthday in Ireland last month with close family and friends," said Lord.

He was the twin of Anthony Shaffer, the screenwriter and playwright whose screenplays included the Alfred Hitchcock film "Frenzy" and the British cult thriller movie "The Wicker Man" and "Death on the Nile".

He died in 2001.

A private funeral for Peter Shaffer will be held in London.