US Oscar-winning veteran screenwriter William Goldman, famous for penning such classics as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Watergate thriller All the President’s Men, has died aged 87.

Tributes from around the world have recognised a “not so ho hum run of the mill scriptwriter” whose work has been a “gift” to millions of people.

Actor Michael Sheen said millions of people’s lives were “richer” from his body of work, as The Hollywood Reporter painted a picture of a writer who was an “expert” in the art of scriptwriting.

Sheen posted a heartfelt message on Twitter that read: “William Goldman made my life, like so many millions of others, better and richer and more full of possibility because of what he wrote. What a gift. So sad today and so grateful.”

English comedian and actor Stephen Fry remembered Goldman as a “a dear and valued friend” who taught him “so much and showed me such kindness over the years”.

“A world without him seems … inconceivable,” Fry said.

American horror movie writer Stephen King said: “So sorry to hear of the passing of William Goldman. He was both witty and talented. His screenplay of my book MISERY was a beautiful thing. Rest In Peace, Bill”.

Cinco Paul, who wrote the Despicable Me trilogy and The Lorax, said Goldman was a “screenwriting god”.

A screenwriting god just passed away, William Goldman. His book Adventures in the Screen Trade was my first screenwriting bible. His scripts for Butch Cassidy and All the Presidents Men won Oscars. But for me The Princess Bride is his masterpiece and greatest legacy. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3z4jVfU1FG

— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) November 16, 2018

In a career spanning five decades, the novelist, playwright and screenwriter crafted Marathon Man and beloved subversive fairy tale The Princess Bride, both of which he adapted himself for the screen.

“Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.”

RIP William Goldman. Thank you for your brilliant, beautiful, and "inconceivable" stories. https://t.co/HgdwTACwDm pic.twitter.com/Z6RxfXf6oy

— Goodreads (@goodreads) November 16, 2018

His publishers, Bloomsbury, confirmed on Friday that the veteran scriptwriter had died.

The Washington Post reported he died of complications from colon cancer and pneumonia in his Manhattan home, according to his daughter Jenny Goldman.

William Goldman, August 12, 1931 – November 16 2018

Outlaws. Journalists. Dentists. Pirates. Rodents of unusual size. True love. Not just your ordinary, average, ho-hum run of the mill scriptwriter.#rip pic.twitter.com/45mwUjl7G2

— GEEKchocolate (@GeekChocolate) November 16, 2018

“Nobody knows anything” is a liberating concept. It means don’t take no for an answer, be bold, try something new. Yes, the fall will probably kill ya… but listen to your inner voice. R.I.P. the great screenwriter William Goldman. pic.twitter.com/MmLLmsxQtt

— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) November 16, 2018

Born in Chicago in 1931 and educated at Colombia, he spent some time working for the Pentagon before embarking on a writing career, first with novels before making the transition to the competitive world of Hollywood screenwriting.

Goldman’s script work earned him two Academy Awards, first for best original screenplay with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969, then for best adapted screenplay for All The President’s Men in 1976.

What an opening. RIP, William Goldman. pic.twitter.com/M7zbZJNUhv

— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) November 16, 2018