Remembering Comedian And ‘The Graduate’ Screenwriter Buck Henry

"AirTalk" and "FilmWeek" host Larry Mantle talks with "The Graduate" screenwriter Buck Henry at KPCC's screening of the film on June 2, 2018 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles as part of our FilmWeek Screening Series.

Buck Henry, the versatile writer, director and character actor who co-wrote and appeared in “The Graduate,″ has died in Los Angeles. He was 89.

Henry’s wife, Irene Ramp, told The Washington Post that his death Wednesday was due to a heart attack. Henry acted in and co-directed “Heaven Can Wait.” Henry and Mel Brooks helped created the classic 1960s spy sitcom “Get Smart.”

Short and deceptively mild, wearing black-rimmed glasses, Henry appeared numerous times as a guest host on “Saturday Night Live.” He played such memorable characters as the creepy baby-sitter Uncle Roy and the father of “Nerd” Bill Murray.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll remember Buck Henry’s life and work as an actor, comedian and screenwriter and play back some of our conversation with Henry when he was a special guest at the 2018 FilmWeek Screening of his iconic film “The Graduate,” which at the time was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

With files from the Associated Press

Guest:

Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com