Buck Henry, "The Graduate" Screenwriter Dead at 89

Buck Henry, the screenwriter behind The Graduate who also co-created Get Smart and was a frequent host of Saturday Night Live in the sketch show’s early days, has reportedly passed away at the age of 89 on Wednesday night (Jan. 8). Henry suffered a heart attack and died at Cedars-Sinai Heath Center in Los Angeles, according to Deadline.

In addition to penning the script for the classic Dustin Hoffman movie and creating the beloved spy sitcom, Henry — born Henry Zuckerman in became the first person to host Saturday Night Live five times (and later, the first to host 10 times). He appeared as the straight man in John Belushi’s famous Samurai sketches, and he played Mr. Dantley, the father of Bill Murray’s nerdy Todd character.

In later years, he made guest appearances on 30 Rock, playing Dick Lemon, the father of Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon.

Celebrity tributes to Henry began pouring in on social media, with Judd Apatow writing “Buck Henry was hilarious and brilliant and made us laugh more times than we even know.”

Buck Henry, guys. A brilliant talent and a really lovely guy. RIP

— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) January 9, 2020

Buck Henry was hilarious and brilliant and made us laugh more times than we even know. I was lucky enough to be on a panel with him at SXSW and he was so funny. He said “I don’t like to write with people because… https://t.co/L1xdvBjb6j

— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) January 9, 2020

Loved your scripts for Owl and the Pussycat, What’s up, Doc? and so many others. Rest in peace. https://t.co/Al2LboawkU

— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) January 9, 2020

Just saw this. Loved working with him. Rest in peace Buck.
RT @bengreenman: RIP Buck Henry. Of the million things he did and did well (Graduate, Heaven Can Wait), my favorite is his amazing role in @AlbertBrooks's Defending Your Life. He's fine.

— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 9, 2020

The most fun I ever had with a husband.

Dear, brilliant Buck. #RIP

Safe journey. See ya round the bend. pic.twitter.com/GhDEaSKJ8a

— Holland Taylor (@HollandTaylor) January 9, 2020

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