US fiction writer Tom Runyon dies
5th August 2009
American fiction writer and actor Tom Runyon has died aged 89.
The Argosy magazine author died following a battle with cancer in Malibu last month (July 17th), reports the Los Angeles Times.
Actress Ali MacGraw remembered the star, who shared his name with a Hollywood Hills canyon and had worked with stars such as Steve McQueen, who was married to MacCraw.
She told the newspaper: 'He was so adored and really smart.'
Mr Runyon's film roles included Heart Beat, Tom Horn and Every Which Way But Loose.
He also starred alongside Steve McQueen in The Getaway, where he was cast 'in a wonderful part,' according to Ms MacGraw.
'The scenes with Tom as one of the bad guys, he steals 'em,' she added in a piece for the LA Times.
Runyon's death follows the passing of gay black author E. Lynn Harris last month at the age of 54.
Harris also died in Los Angeles, while promoting his latest book.