10 Facts About Melissa Mathison

Melissa Marie Mathison was an American film and television screenwriter and an activist for the Tibetan independence movement.

Melissa Mathison was born on June 3,1950, in Los Angeles, one of five siblings.

Melissa Mathison's mother was Margaret Jean Mathison, a food writer and convenience-foods entrepreneur.

Melissa Mathison's family was friendly with Francis Ford Coppola, whose children were babysat by Mathison.

Melissa Mathison collaborated again with Spielberg for The BFG, her final film, which was dedicated in her memory.

Melissa Mathison had film credits for The Escape Artist and The Indian in the Cupboard.

Melissa Mathison met the Dalai Lama in 1990 when she was writing the script for Kundun and developed a lasting friendship with him.

Melissa Mathison continued to work as an activist for Tibetan freedom and was on the board of the International Campaign for Tibet.

Melissa Mathison had an extramarital relationship with Francis Ford Coppola while working as his assistant on The Godfather Part II, an affair that lasted through the production of Apocalypse Now.

Melissa Mathison died on November 4,2015, in Los Angeles, aged 65, from neuroendocrine cancer.