Legendary Screenwriter David Seidler, Author of The King’s Speech, Passes Away at 86
LOS ANGELES — The world of cinema is mourning the loss of David Seidler, the esteemed screenwriter behind the critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech. Seidler, who himself battled a stammer, brought the inspiring true story of King George VI’s triumph over his speech impediment to the silver screen.
The 2010 masterpiece starred Colin Firth, who delivered an unforgettable performance as the king and went on to win both the best actor Bafta and Academy Award for his role.
Seidler’s creative genius extended beyond the film, as he also spearheaded the stage adaptation of The King’s Speech, which premiered in London’s West End in 2012.
During his illustrious career, Seidler dedicated his 2011 Oscar win to “all the stutterers around the world”, expressing gratitude to the Queen and humorously acknowledging her for not punishing him for his choice of words.
Jeff Aghassi, Seidler’s manager, confirmed the sad news of his passing on Saturday, revealing that the legendary writer was in his beloved New Zealand, indulging in his favorite pastime of fly fishing at the time of his demise.
Born in 1937 in London, Seidler relocated to the US during World War Two and the London Blitz. His early forays into the entertainment industry included translating Japanese monster-movie scripts and contributing to TV series like Adventures of the Seaspray in the 1960s.
While Seidler worked on various projects throughout his career, The King’s Speech stood out as his magnum opus. The film narrates the inspiring journey of King George VI as he conquers his severe stutter with the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue in the backdrop of World War II.
Seidler’s legacy transcends borders, with The King’s Speech stage adaptation being translated into multiple languages and performed on four continents. The Broadway debut was unfortunately delayed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aghassi shared that Seidler was actively involved in numerous projects at the time of his passing, including documentaries, limited series, and feature films. His unwavering dedication to storytelling and exploring themes of life, love, loss, and renewal will forever be remembered in the annals of cinema.
“David focused on the lessons of life, love, loss, and rebirth,” Aghassi said. “He continued to work on ideas that drew his interest, and at the time of his death he had multiple projects in active development, including documentary, limited series, and feature films.” — BBC
