Ray Bradbury dies aged 91

Goodbye to the man behind Fahrenheit 451

by Jennie Kermode

The science fiction author Ray Bradbury, whose work inspired dozens of films, died today at the age of 91. He was well known for his inspirational television series The Ray Bradbury Theatre and his most famous book, Fahrenheit 451, was made into a film with Oskar Werner and Julie Christie, directed by François Truffaut, in 1966.

The largely self-educated Bradbury, who grew up in Hollywood and once dreamed of becoming an actor, got his start in film with the sensational 1953 hit It Came From Outer Space. Other adaptations of his work include The Illustrated Man, A Sound Of Thunder and Something Wicked This Way Comes. He also wrote several screenplays including that for John Huston's acclaimed version of Moby Dick. Enormously admired within the industry, he had close friends including Ray Harryhausen and Federico Fellini.

Bradbury is survived by four daughters and several grandchildren. He was the proud holder of a National Medal of the Arts and had his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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