Writer Elmore Leonard, 87, dies

Writer Elmore Leonard, 87, who contributed to such movies as "3:10 to Yuma" and "Hombre," died Tuesday in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Elmore Leonard

The New Orleans native’s short story is the basis for FX cable channel’s “Justified” series.

More than 25 of his stories have been turned into movies or TV shows.  Among movies based on his works are: "Mr. Majestyk" (1974) with Charles Bronson; "The Ambassador" (1984) with Robert Mitchum; "Get Shorty" (1995) with John Travolta; "Jackie Brown" (1997) with Pam Grier; "Out of Sight" (1998) with George Clooney; and "Killshot" (2009) with Diane Lane.

To read former BJ and current PD movie/TV critic Mark Dawidziak’s excellent article on Leonard, click on http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2013/08/elmore_leonard_legendary_crime_novelist_and_hollywood_writer_dies_at_87.html#incart_river