James L. White, Screenwriter, Dead at 67

  Dead Famous

James L. White, who penned the script for the Ray Charles biopic Ray that won Jamie Foxx the Best Actor Oscar in 2004, died Thursday at his home in Santa Monica. He was 67. His attorney, Matthew H. Saver, told Deadline that White died of complications from pancreatic cancer.

 
Ray landed six Oscar nominations that year, winning for Foxx’s turn as well as sound mixing. Taylor Hackford was nominated for Best Director (he and White shared the story-by credit) and the movie was up for Best Picture (it lost to Million Dollar Baby). White’s script also earned an Original Screenplay BAFTA nom that year.