William H. Wisher Jr. Dies: ‘The Terminator’ & ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ Screenwriter Was 71

William H. Wisher Jr., a producer and screenwriter who co-wrote The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, has died. He was 71. The Wisher family confirmed news of the filmmaker’s death, saying he “passed away peacefully at home.” “William believed that stories have the power to connect people across generations,” the family said in a statement. “While the world celebrates the unforgettable films he helped create, we will remember him for his kindness, his humor, his brilliant imagination, and the love he gave so freely to his family and friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.” Wisher helped redefine the science fiction action genre as one of the writers of James Cameron’s The Terminator, which was released in 1984. The screenwriter would return to work with Cameron in the film’s sequel for 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Watch on Deadline Other works in which Wisher worked include Judge Dredd (1995), The 13th Warrior (1999), Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and I.T. (2016). Wisher is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Lynn Wisher; his siblings, Brian Wisher, John Wisher, CarlaDeMaci, and Dana Aboissiere; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members,and dear friends.