'Amadeus' playwright Peter Shaffer dies aged 90

British playwright Peter Shaffer, who won an Oscar for his film adaptation of "Amadeus", one of his most celebrated stage dramas, died today aged 90, his agent said.
"It is with great sorrow that we must announce the death of our friend and client, Sir Peter Shaffer CBE whilst on a visit to Ireland with friends and family," Rupert Lord said on his agency's website.
Shaffer died at 5:30 am (0430 GMT) at a hospital outside Cork in southern Ireland following a short illness, Lord said.
"Peter was one of the true greats of British theatre as well as a wonderful friend, wickedly funny man and sparkling raconteur whose lifelong passion for his own art was matched by his love for music, painting and architecture," said Lord.

Shaffer won the Oscar in 1985 for the adaptation of "Amadeus", his drama about composer Antonio Salieri's jealous fixation with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was one of eight Oscars which the film won that year.
He also received an Academy Award nomination in 1978 for the screenplay of "Equus", his 1973 stage play about a psychiatrist treating a young man fascinated by horses.

His other plays include "Lettice and Lovage" and "The Royal Hunt of the Sun".
"He had been struggling with his health for some time but was both determined and delighted to have been able to celebrate his 90th birthday in Ireland last month with close family and friends," said Lord.

Shaffer was born to a Jewish family in Liverpool, northwest England, and educated in London before studying history at the University of Cambridge.