'Jaws' Author Peter Benchley Dies at 65 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 02-12-2006, 07:50 PM

'Jaws' Author Peter Benchley Dies at 65

NEW YORK -- Peter Benchley, whose novel "Jaws" terrorized millions of swimmers even as the author himself became an advocate for the conservation of sharks, has died at age 65, his widow said Sunday.

Wendy Benchley, married to the author for 41 years, said he died Saturday night at their home in Princeton, N.J. The cause of death, she said, was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and a fatal scarring of the lungs.

Thanks to Benchley's 1974 novel, and Steven Spielberg's blockbuster movie of the same name, the simple act of ocean swimming became synonymous with fatal horror, of still water followed by ominous, pumping music, then teeth and blood and panic.

"Spielberg certainly made the most superb movie; Peter was very pleased," Wendy Benchley told The Associated Press.

"But Peter kept telling people the book was fiction, it was a novel, and that he no more took responsibility for the fear of sharks than Mario Puzo took responsibility for the Mafia."

Besides his wife, Peter Benchley is survived by three children and five grandchildren. A small family service will take place next week in Princeton, Wendy Benchley said.

EmoJoe · 02-12-2006, 07:53 PM

RIP

Ireneparalegal · 02-12-2006, 08:03 PM

Oh how sad. I remember reading that book when it came out. It is an awesome book. It was excellent, just like the movie. May he rest in peace.

Nighthawk76 · 02-12-2006, 08:37 PM

Even though I love the movie Jaws, I never much cared for the novel. However, I am still sad to hear that Mr. Benchley has passed away.

02-12-2006, 07:50 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	'Jaws' Author Peter Benchley Dies at 65 'Jaws' Author Peter Benchley Dies at 65 NEW YORK -- Peter Benchley, whose novel "Jaws" terrorized millions of swimmers even as the author himself became an advocate for the conservation of sharks, has died at age 65, his widow said Sunday. Wendy Benchley, married to the author for 41 years, said he died Saturday night at their home in Princeton, N.J. The cause of death, she said, was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and a fatal scarring of the lungs. Thanks to Benchley's 1974 novel, and Steven Spielberg's blockbuster movie of the same name, the simple act of ocean swimming became synonymous with fatal horror, of still water followed by ominous, pumping music, then teeth and blood and panic. "Spielberg certainly made the most superb movie; Peter was very pleased," Wendy Benchley told The Associated Press. "But Peter kept telling people the book was fiction, it was a novel, and that he no more took responsibility for the fear of sharks than Mario Puzo took responsibility for the Mafia." Besides his wife, Peter Benchley is survived by three children and five grandchildren. A small family service will take place next week in Princeton, Wendy Benchley said.

02-12-2006, 07:53 PM	#2
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	RIP
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

02-12-2006, 08:03 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Oh how sad. I remember reading that book when it came out. It is an awesome book. It was excellent, just like the movie. May he rest in peace.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

02-12-2006, 08:37 PM	#4
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Even though I love the movie Jaws, I never much cared for the novel. However, I am still sad to hear that Mr. Benchley has passed away.