Elmore Leonard Dies: 'Get Shorty,' 'Out Of Sight' And 'Be Cool' Crime Novelist Dead At 87 After Stroke

Legendary author Elmore Leonard died Tuesday morning at age 87. Leonard's death was announced on his website after suffering a stroke a few weeks ago on July 29. "The post I dreaded to write, and you dreaded to read. Elmore passed away at 7:15 this morning from complications from his stroke. He was at home surrounded by his loving family. More to follow," the announcement on elmoreleonard.com said.

Leonard, rose to fame as an author after taking a grand leap of faith in the 1950s when he gave up his job at an advertising agency and started writing westerns. Leonard then expanded his career by writing crime and suspense novels, for which he has become distinguished. Throughout his expansive career, Leonard used convincing dialogue to bring his gritty cops and cowboys to life in nearly 50 novels. He published his first book, "The Bounty Hunters," in 1953.

Leonard became well-known with the 1985 publication of "Glitz," the story of Detective Vincent Mora who is being stalked by the serial rapist that he put in prison. Following the success of "Glitz," Elmore released his following books, "Get Shorty," "Out of Sight," "Killshot," "Bandits" and "Freaky Deaky," every year and a half, and all became best-sellers.

While had Leonard gained commercial and critical success with his crime novels, he also received the nod of Hollywood. Producers, writer, and directors lit the silver screen with more than 25 of Leonard's works. Beginning with Paul Newman in 1967 film, "Hombre," Hollywood loved Leonard's books and created countless movie and television adaptions of his stories. The western story "3:10 to Yuma" and the novel "The Big Bounce" were each adapted for film twice.

Leonard's 47th book, "Blue Dreams," was expected to be published this year. "I don't have any reason to quit," Leonard told Reuters in 2012, referring to his career. "I still enjoy writing."

Leonard, who married Beverly Cline in 1949, leaves behind five children, 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, according to his website.

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