Larry L. King Dies, Author Mourned
Writer and playwright Larry L. King died on Thursday, sparking nationwide mourning.
King died in Washington, D.C. after battling emphysema, his wife said.
"One of the things that I will always remember about Larry is that he remained funny all the way this illness," Barbara Blaine told the Associated Press.
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The author died at age 83 at Chevy Chase House, a retirement home where he had been living for the past six months.
Not to be confused with iconic CNN host Larry King, the playwright is affiliated with the Tony Award-nominated musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." It was King's Playboy article about a Texas bordello that led to a musical, which was directed by Tommy Tune and went on to last for more than 1,584 performances since its 1978 opening.
The movie version of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" was released in 1982 and starred Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.
King was also an author whose books include "None But a Blockhead," as well as a children's cook "Because of Lozo Brown."
Several collections of King's essays have also been published, such as "The Old Man and Lesser Mortals" and "Confessions of a White Racist" – which he called "a gratuitous admission of guilt on behalf of all white racists past and present, malignant and benign."
"Confessions" was a finalist for a National Book Award. Among his many awards were an O. Henry Award in 2001 as well as an Emmy in 1982 for his television documentary for CBS, "The Best Little Statehouse in Texas."
In 1978, King's "Wheeling and Dealing: Confessions of a Capitol Hill Operator" became a bestseller.
In total, King wrote two musicals, five plays, 14 books, several screenplays, and hundreds of magazine articles.
The West Texas native later lived in New York and taught in Princeton.
Although there was much confusion over the author King and CNN's television host, many Twitter users mourned Larry L. King on the social media site Friday.
"I played Little League with Larry L. King's son growing up in DC," wrote Michael. "He came to every game, cheered for everyone. RIP."
Texas Book Festival's Twitter account read, "Sad to learn that Larry L. King, previous winner of the Texas Writer Award, has died."
"I've read Larry L. King's … 'And Other Dirty Stories' many times," wrote Robert. "Time to do it again, as the great man's gone at 83."
King leaves behind five children and his wife Blaine. The writer will be buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, television and radio host Larry King cleared up the confusion and posted to Twitter: "While I do appreciate the touching #RIP tweets- I am alive (and tweeting!) –however the playwright Larry L. King has recently passed."
