“I am deeply saddened to announce the death of our dear friend Winston Groom,” Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson wrote on Facebook, saying her community had “lost a major author.”
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According to CNN, the mayor’s family informed the mayor of the death, but did not tell them the circumstances under which Groom died: “I have no details now, but he died (Wednesday) in the evening.”
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Groom graduated from the University of Alabama in 1965, then served in the military for four years. He was also deployed in the Vietnam War. After returning to his homeland, he wrote for The Washington Star, and according to his alma mater, which called him a “legend,” he then wrote.
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Groom’s most famous work is without a doubt Forrest Gump about a simple man who gets involved in important events in 20th century American history. The book was published in 1986. In the 1994 film adaptation, the protagonist was played by Tom Hanks. The film earned 13 Oscar nominations, and the filmmakers won six, including the award for best film.
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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Groom would always be remembered for his classic work. “Alabama has lost one of our most talented writers. Although he will be remembered because he wrote Forrest Gump, Winston Groom was a talented journalist and a major author (publication) on American history, ”added Ivey.
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