Renowned Screenwriter of ‘Thomas Crown Affair,’ ‘Bullitt’ Passes Away at 95
Alan Trustman, the celebrated screenwriter known for crafting iconic films like ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ and ‘Bullitt,’ has passed away at the age of 95. He died on February 5 in a nursing home located in Miami, as confirmed by his son, John Trustman.
Legacy of a Screenwriter
Trustman was instrumental in shaping cinema in the late 1960s. His work on ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ released in 1968, featured Steve McQueen in the lead role. Faye Dunaway starred as the insurance investigator Vicki Anderson. Directed by Norman Jewison, this film was primarily shot in Boston.
Just five months after ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ Trustman’s screenplay for ‘Bullitt’ debuted. This film showcased a remarkable car chase and starred McQueen as San Francisco cop Frank Bullitt. Trustman co-wrote the screenplay with Harry Kleiner and took inspiration from a 1963 novel by Robert L. Fish.
A Background in Law and Film
Trustman’s journey to screenwriting began while he worked as a corporate lawyer in Boston. He graduated from Harvard University in 1952 and Harvard Law School in 1955. Initially, he found success and recognition in law, but the retirement of NFL quarterback Y.A. Tittle spurred him to pursue his passion for film.
He leveraged his connections from Harvard to approach a New York literary agent, leading to the development of ‘The Thomas Crown Affair.’ Trustman provided significant input during production, even taking director Jewison on a tour of the First National Bank of Boston to showcase his vision of the film’s bank heist.
Notable Achievements and Collaborations
- ‘They Call Me Mister Tibbs!’ (1970) – Co-writer of this crime drama, a sequel to the Oscar-winning film ‘In the Heat of the Night.’
- ‘Le Mans’ (1971) – Initially hired to write the screenplay but was replaced after disagreements with McQueen.
- ‘Lady Ice’ (1973) – Co-wrote this film starring Donald Sutherland and Jennifer O’Neill.
- Screenplays for ‘Crime and Passion’ and ‘The Next Man’ (1976).
- Executive producer for ‘The Tracker’ (1988).
- Adapted a Raymond Chandler story for a 1995 episode of the series ‘Fallen Angels.’
Personal Life
Born on December 16, 1930, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Trustman attended Boston Latin School and Phillips Exeter Academy. He was married four times, his surviving family includes his fourth wife, Barbara, his daughter Laurie, his sister Patty, and 11 grandchildren.
Trustman also dedicated time to teaching screenwriting at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and NYU while enjoying a successful career as a novelist. His contributions to film and storytelling remain influential today, preserving his legacy in cinema history.
