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Victor Miller, screenwriter of 'Friday the 13th', dies at 86

The Emmy-winning daytime television writer who launched the long-running slasher franchise died in Alameda, California.

The short version

  • Screenwriter Victor Miller died at age 86 in Alameda, California, his son confirmed.
  • Miller wrote the original 1980 film 'Friday the 13th', establishing key tropes of the modern slasher genre.
  • He was also an accomplished soap opera writer who contributed to multiple Daytime Emmy wins for 'All My Children'.

Key facts

  • Victor Miller died on Monday in Alameda, California, at the age of 86, according to his son Ian.[Variety]
  • Miller wrote the screenplay for the 1980 film 'Friday the 13th', which helped popularize the summer camp setting in horror cinema.[Variety]
  • Though the original movie launched an enduring horror franchise, Miller was not involved in writing its sequels.[Variety]
  • Miller wrote for daytime soap operas including 'All My Children', 'One Life to Live', 'Another World', 'Guiding Light', and 'General Hospital'.[Variety]
  • His television writing on 'All My Children' contributed to three Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding drama series writing team.[Variety]

What remains uncertain

  • The cause of Miller's death was not disclosed.[Variety]

Sources