Marshall Brickman, the Oscar-winning co-writer of Annie Hall, passed away on Friday in Manhattan at the age of 85. His daughter, Sophie, confirmed his death.
Brickman, who worked alongside Woody Allen on Annie Hall, also collaborated with him on films like Sleeper, Manhattan, and Manhattan Murder Mystery. He wrote for TV shows such as Candid Camera and The Tonight Show, where he created the famous character Carnac the Magnificent. He also worked on the early version of The Muppet Show.
The screenplay for Annie Hall, which Brickman co-wrote, became one of the most quoted scripts in film history and won numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Film critic Roger Ebert once praised Annie Hall for its “intellectual wit and cultural references.”
Brickman’s script for Manhattan was also nominated for an Oscar, though the movie’s portrayal of a relationship between a 42-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl has faced criticism over time.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brickman grew up in Brooklyn and began his career writing for TV. He was also a member of the folk group that would later become the Mamas & the Papas. He directed films such as Simon, Lovesick, and The Manhattan Project, all of which he also wrote.
Brickman is survived by his wife Nina, daughters Sophie and Jessica, and five grandchildren.