Screenwriter Dan O'bannon, Who Wrote 'Alien,' Dies

Screenwriter Dan O'Bannon, whose credits include "Alien" and "Total Recall," has died. He was 63.

The Writers Guild of America says O'Bannon died Thursday. His wife, Diane, told the Los Angeles Times her husband died at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., after a 30-year battle with Crohn's disease.

He began his career in 1974 with the science-fiction film "Dark Star," which he co-wrote with director John Carpenter. O'Bannon continued writing sci-fi and horror pictures throughout his career. His credits include "Invaders from Mars," "Bleeders" and "The Return of the Living Dead," which he also directed.

Born Sept. 30, 1946, in St. Louis, O'Bannon earned a film degree from the University of Southern California in 1970.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Adam.