Author created Forrest Gump

Winston Groom, the author of Forrest Gump, has died aged 77.

Karin Wilson, mayor of his hometown of Fairhope, Ala., shared a picture of the writer taken by his daughter, Caroline, on Facebook and wrote alongside it: “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our dear friend Winston Groom. The City of Fairhope has lost an iconic author today. Please keep his friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Winston Francis Groom Jr. was born march 23, 1943 in Washington, d.c. He graduated from Alabama university in 1965. Alabama governor Kay Ivey said Groom “was a talented journalist and noted author of American history. Our hearts and prayers are extended to his family.”

A cause of death was not revealed, and a local funeral home said arrangements for a farewell ceremony were pending.

He is survived by his second wife, Anne, and their daughter.

Groom’s tour of duty in the Vietnam War preceded his work as reporter.

Though he wrote seven other novels, Groom is most famous for writing Forrest Gump, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Tom Hanks in the title role, as well as penning sequel Gump & Co. and several non-fiction historical books, including one on the American Civil War. The movie won six Academy Awards in 1995, including a best Actor Oscar for Hanks, and three Golden Globes.