The author of the best selling novel “JAWS”, Peter Benchley has died in his home yesterday of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. He was only 65.
Benchley, famous for his deep water suspense novels also penned “The Deep” and “The Island,” both of which were made into major motion pictures, but neither caused the stir of his first. Jaws, both the book and the movie, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, put such terror of sharks in his fans that for several months following their release he caused the beach going population to literally dwindle.
Some of Benchley’s other works include “White Shark,” “Beast” and “Rummies.”
Benchley is survived by his wife and two adult children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
