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How did Gregory Allen Howard die? Fans shattered as 'Remember the Titans' screenwriter dies at 70

Gregory Allen Howard was the first African-American screenwriter to write a $100M spec script

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Award-winning screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard reportedly died on Friday, January 27. He was was 70. According to his rep, Howard died in Miami, Florida, following a brief illness. The writer of 'Remember the Titans', which stars Denzel Washington, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and moved to Los Angeles in the '90s to pursue his dream of becoming a screenwriter. Fans mourned the death of the writer and took to Twitter to pay their tributes.

Howard is survived by his sister Lynette Henley, brother Michael Henley, nieces Robyn Bacon and Valencia Kamara, nephew Robert Henley, a grand-niece, two grand-nephews and cousins Pierre Gatling and Patricia Cole, as per Variety. Howard was a two-time recipent of the NAACP Image Award. He also won the Christopher Award, the Howard University Paul Robeson Award for artistic excellence and the Heartland Film Festival Award for screenwriting excellence.

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How did Gregory Allen Howard die?

Howard's rep, Jeff Sanderson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that he died on Friday following a brief illness. The details of the illness have not been disclosed yet. Sanderson said that Howard was 70, but another agency that represents the writer reportedly said that he was 61. 

Howard garnered a lot of acclaim for the screenplay of the 2000s sports film 'Remember the Titans,' that was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. This movie made Howard the first African-American screenwriter to write a $100M spec script. He later earned a story-writing credit for Michael Mann’s 'Ali', the 2001 biopic of sports legend Muhammad Ali. The movie, which was nominated for two Oscars, starred Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Jon Voight.

In 2019, Howard wrote the screenplay and produced Kasi Lemmons’ 'Harriet', a story he felt really passionate about. The story took over 20 years to make after Howard studied about Harriet Tubman as a history major at Princeton University. He had a number of projects in development, including 'The Magician', a biopic on quarterback Marlin “The Magician” Briscoe.

Netizens were quick to react to the news of Howard's death. "That is so sad and may Gregory Allen Howard r.i.p.," a person wrote.

Another user recalled Howard's achievements and thanked him for his work. "RIP Gregory Allen Howard, who wrote "Remember The Titans"--the 1st spec script by a Black screenwriter to make $100 million at the BO (& a GREAT flick--watch if you haven't.) He also co-wrote "Ali", & was an accomplished playwright. Rest in power, sir. Thank you for the work," wrote a user, while another wrote, "Oh man! A legend. How sad."

Another person wrote, "RIP Greg. I will finish what we started. You inspired me. You educated me. You made me laugh. You will be missed." "RIP Gregory Allen Howard #LegendsNeverDie #RememberTheTitans," added another.

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