Audrey Wells, who wrote and directed the 2003 romantic comedy "Under the Tuscan Sun," as well as the screenplay for the new film "The Hate U Give," died Thursday after a five-year battle with cancer. She was 58.
The San Francisco native had early jobs as a disc jockey at a local jazz station and in public radio before making the transition to film, armed with a masters of fine arts from UCLA.
She wrote the screenplays for such films as "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac tale starring Uma Thurman, and "Shall We Dance," with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. She made her directorial debut with the 1999 indie "Guinevere," starring Sarah Polley as a young woman and her relationship with an older mentor.
Wells also wrote the script for the critically acclaimed new film "The Hate U Give," an adaptation of Angie Thomas' young adult novel about a police shooting of a young black man. The film starring Amandla Stenberg is now playing in limited release before it expands nationwide Oct. 19.
"The strong, independent female characters she shaped resonate today more than ever and will be a part of her legacy always." said United Talent Agency President David Kramer. "We will miss her amazing, spirit, creativity and the love she gave us." Wells is survived by her husband, Brian Larky and her daughter, Tatiana. Larky said that Wells "fought valiantly against her illness."
Associated Press
