E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial screenwriter and Harrison Ford’s ex-wife Melissa Mathison has passed away, her brother Dirk Mathison confirmed to Variety. The Oscar-nominated screenwriter was 65. According to Entertainment Weekly, Mathison died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from complications of neuroendocrine cancer.
“Melissa had a heart that shined with generosity and love and burned as bright as the heart she gave E.T.,” Spielberg said in a statement to THR.
Mathison was married to the Star Wars actor, 73, from 1983 to 2004, after meeting on set of Apocalypse Now in 1976. Together they share two children Malcolm and Georgia.
Mathison’s credits also include The Black Stallion, The Escape Artist, Indian in the Cupboard, Kundon, and The BFG.
