Oscar-winning author/screenwriter Michael Blake passes away

Oscar-winning author and screenwriter Michael Blake has passed away, He was 69.

Blake, who was penned the book and 1990 film 'Dances With Wolves,' took his last breath in Tucson, Arizona following a long illness, confirmed his manager and producer Daniel Ostroff, who's working on the film's sequel, The Holy Road.

The author's novel had sold over 3.5 million copies, and was translated into 15 languages, and was later converted into film, which Kevin Costner directed and starred in. the film bagged 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Screenplay for Blake, who also won the WGA Award and Golden Globes for his script.

Blake was well known for his humanitarian work on behalf of Native Americans and America's wild horses. The family is asking for privacy but asks that any donations be made in his name to ISPMB which benefits the horses he loved so much.

Blake is survived by his widow, Marianne Mortensen Blake and their 3 teenaged children, whom he named after historic Native Americans.