Michael Blake (author) facts for kids
Michael Lennox Blake (born July 5, 1945 – died May 2, 2015) was an American writer. He is most famous for his book Dances with Wolves. This book was made into a popular movie, and Michael Blake won an Oscar for writing the movie's script.
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Michael Blake's Early Life and Writing Journey
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Michael Blake's family lived in Texas when he was young. Later, they moved to Southern California and changed homes often. He started writing when he was in the Air Force, where he wrote for the base newspaper.
He studied journalism at the University of New Mexico. He also went to film school in Berkeley, California and studied at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.
In the late 1970s, Michael Blake moved to Los Angeles. During the 1980s, only one of his movie scripts was made into a film. This movie was called Stacy's Knights.
How Dances with Wolves Came to Be
The movie Stacy's Knights starred Kevin Costner. Kevin Costner later told Michael Blake to keep writing. He also helped Michael Blake meet important people in Hollywood.
This encouragement led Michael Blake to write his famous book, Dances with Wolves. Kevin Costner then asked him to write the movie script for the film based on the book. After this success, Michael Blake continued to write and also did helpful work for people.
Michael Blake had three brothers: James A. Webb, David Webb, and Dan Webb. Dan Webb was a principal at John Muir High School in Pasadena, California. Michael Blake passed away on May 2, 2015, in Tucson, Arizona, after being sick for a long time.
Michael Blake's Creative Works
Michael Blake wrote many different kinds of stories. He wrote movie scripts, novels, and non-fiction books.
Movie Scripts Written by Michael Blake
- Stacy's Knights (1983)
- Dances with Wolves (1990)
- Winding Stair (1998) – He also directed this movie.
- The One (in development)
- The Holy Road (in development)
- Winnetou (in development)
Novels Written by Michael Blake
- Dances with Wolves (1988)
- Airman Mortensen (1991)
- Marching to Valhalla (1996)
- The Holy Road (2001)
- Dances with Wolves, 20th Anniversary (2011 eBook)
- The Holy Road (2011)
- Into the Stars (2011)
Non-Fiction Books by Michael Blake
- Like a Running Dog (2002) – This was his autobiography, a book about his own life.
- Indian Yell (2006)
- Twelve the King (2009)
Awards and Recognition for Michael Blake
Michael Blake received many awards for his writing and his helpful work.
- Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – This is an Oscar for writing a movie script based on a book.
- Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay
- Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
- Spur Award for Best Motion Picture
- Cancervive Victory Award
- Eleanor Roosevelt Award – For his work with minority groups and the environment.
- Animal Protection Institute’s Humanitarian of the Year
- Air Force Sergeants Association’s Americanism Award (1992)
- Amanda Blake Award
- American Library Association's Library Hero Award
- Environmental Media Award
- Golden Quill
See also
In Spanish: Michael Blake para niños
