Alan Trustman, 95, Dies; Wrote ‘Bullitt’ and ‘Thomas Crown Affair’
#Alan Trustman #Bullitt #Thomas Crown Affair #Steve McQueen #Screenwriter #Hollywood #Boston lawyer #Swiss currency trader
📌 Key Takeaways
- Alan Trustman died at age 95 in a Miami nursing home on February 5
- He had diverse careers as a Boston lawyer, Hollywood screenwriter, and Swiss currency trader
- He wrote screenplays for iconic films including 'The Thomas Crown Affair' and 'Bullitt'
- His collaboration with Steve McQueen produced some of his most memorable work
- Despite a relatively brief screenwriting career, his work had significant impact on cinema
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Hollywood legacy, Career transformation, Cultural impact
📚 Related People & Topics
Bullitt
1968 film by Peter Yates
Bullitt is a 1968 American crime thriller film directed by Peter Yates, from a screenplay by Alan R. Trustman and Harry Kleiner, based on the 1963 novel Mute Witness by Robert L. Fish. It stars Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon, Robert Duvall, Simon Oakland, and Norman Fell...
Alan Trustman
American lawyer and screenwriter (born 1930)
Alan Trustman (born December 16, 1930) is an American lawyer, screenwriter, pari-mutuel operator and currency trader. He is best known for writing the 1968 film, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, and They Call Me Mister Tibbs!, in his movie career.
Screenwriter
Person who writes for films, TV shows, comics, and games
A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television commercials, video games, and the growing area of online ...
Steve McQueen
American actor (1930–1980)
Terrence Stephen McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980) was an American actor. His antihero persona, emphasized during the height of 1960s counterculture, made him a top box office draw for his films of the late 1950s to the mid-1970s. He was nicknamed the "King of Cool" and used the alias "Har...
The Thomas Crown Affair
Topics referred to by the same term
The Thomas Crown Affair is one of three films:
Entity Intersection Graph
No entity connections available yet for this article.
Mentioned Entities
Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
Alan Trustman's death marks the passing of a significant figure in cinema history who helped shape the modern action thriller genre. His work on 'Bullitt' and 'The Thomas Crown Affair' created benchmarks that continue to influence filmmakers today. His career transition from law to screenwriting also represents an interesting example of how professionals can pivot to creative fields and make lasting impacts.
Context & Background
- Alan Trustman began his career as a lawyer in Boston before transitioning to Hollywood screenwriting
- He wrote 'The Thomas Crown Affair' (1966), which established him as a talented storyteller in Hollywood
- His screenplay for 'Bullitt' (1968) featured a groundbreaking car chase sequence that became a benchmark for action filmmaking
- Trustman had a relatively brief but impactful career in Hollywood, also working as a Swiss currency trader
- His screenwriting style blended sophisticated plots with compelling characters, influencing subsequent generations of filmmakers
- Both 'Thomas Crown Affair' and 'Bullitt' were later remade, showing the enduring appeal of his original stories
What Happens Next
There are no immediate upcoming events announced in relation to Trustman's death. However, his films continue to be celebrated in cinema retrospectives, and his screenwriting legacy will likely be remembered in film history discussions. His death may prompt renewed interest in his work, potentially leading to retrospectives or special editions of his films.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trustman is best known for writing the screenplays for 'The Thomas Crown Affair' (1966) and 'Bullitt' (1968), with the latter's iconic car chase sequence becoming a benchmark for action filmmaking that influenced countless films that followed.
Trustman had an unconventional career path, starting as a Boston lawyer before transitioning to Hollywood screenwriting and also working as a Swiss currency trader, demonstrating versatility across very different professional fields.
His distinctive style blended sophisticated plots with compelling characters, creating a template for the modern action thriller that emphasized both narrative complexity and visual excitement.
Both 'The Thomas Crown Affair' and 'Bullitt' were successful during their initial releases, with 'Bullitt' particularly noted for its innovative action sequences and Steve McQueen's performance, helping to establish McQueen as a major star.
The article doesn't specify the exact reasons for Trustman's relatively brief Hollywood career, though it suggests he had other professional interests including working as a Swiss currency trader, which may have drawn him away from full-time screenwriting.