Bruce Jay Friedman, the screenwriter and author whose novels were cult favorites among devotees of comic fiction, died on Wednesday, the New York Times reports. He was 90.
Friedman was best known to pop culture fans as the screenwriter of the film Stir Crazy and the co-screenwriter of Splash and Doctor Detroit. But he was also an accomplished author of fiction and nonfiction, and some of his work also found its way to the big screen—the movie The Heartbreak Kid was based on his short story “A Change of Plan,” and his book The Lonely Guy’s Book of Life was adapted into the Steve Martin film The Lonely Guy.
His first book, the novel Stern, was published in 1962. He would follow that up with several other novels and short story collections, including A Mother’s Kisses, The Dick, Black Angels, and About Harry Towns.
In 2011, he published a memoir, Lucky Bruce. A reviewer for Kirkus said the book “consistently charms with candor and the seasoned wit of a master storyteller who’s certainly been around the block.” His most recent book, The Peace Process, was published in 2015.
On Twitter, admirers of Friedman paid tribute to him. Comedian Frank Conniff (Mystery Science Theater 3000) wrote, “When I was a kid, interested in comedy and writing, a name I often heard from people in the know was Bruce Jay Friedman. Even if you are not familiar with his work, your sense of humor has probably been influenced by him. One of the greats. Rest In Peace.”
When I was a kid, interested in comedy and writing, a name I often heard from people in the know was Bruce Jay Friedman. Even if you are not familiar with his work, your sense of humor has probably been influenced by him. One of the greats. Rest In Peace.
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) June 4, 2020
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
