CANASTOTA, NY –AUGUST 6, 2009 –– The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Budd Schulberg. He passed away yesterday in Long Island, NY. He was 95. Born in New York City on March 27, 1914, Schulberg was one of the most celebrated contemporary American authors. During his 60-plus year career Schulberg endeared himself to the fistic community through his writing, which often dealt with boxing. His passion for boxing was inherited from his father, motion picture pioneer and Paramount Studios production chief, B.P Schulberg, who took his 6-year old son to see Benny Leonard box at Madison Square Garden..
He completed his first novel, What Makes Sammy Run? in 1941 and his second novel, The Harder They Fall, the story of a prizefighter controlled by corrupt managers, was made into a motion picture starring Humphrey Bogart in 1956. Schulberg’s famous screenplay for On The Waterfront, which starred Marlon Brando as boxer Terry Malloy, won 8 Academy Awards in 1954 including best picture, best actor and best screenplay. One of the most revered boxing writers and historians, Schulberg has penned such boxing books as Loser and Still Champion: Muhammad Ali and Sparring With Hemingway and has covered world championship boxing for Playboy, Esquire and Newsday. Also, in early 1950s, Schulberg was the first boxing editor at Sports Illustrated.
“Budd Schulberg led an amazing life,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “His devotion and passion for boxing was unequaled. The Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing.”
In 2003, Schulberg was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame