Alan Trustman, Screenwriter Of Thomas Crown Affair, Dies At 95

Alan Trustman, the screenwriter credited with two of 1968’s signature Hollywood films, “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “Bullitt,” has died. He was 95.

Trustman’s death was reported in recent accounts by Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, and other outlets. No additional details were provided in the available reports.

Trustman wrote “The Thomas Crown Affair,” the stylish crime film centered on an affluent mastermind who orchestrates a bank robbery and draws the attention of an insurance investigator. The movie became closely associated with its leading man, Steve McQueen, and its sleek, modern tone.

He also wrote “Bullitt,” the San Francisco-set police thriller that again starred McQueen and became a landmark title in the genre. “Bullitt” helped define a new kind of big-studio action filmmaking in the late 1960s, pairing a stripped-down narrative with an emphasis on realism and momentum.

Both films were released in 1968 and have remained touchstones for directors, writers, and moviegoers for decades. Trustman’s work is frequently cited for its cool, controlled dialogue and its ability to let story move through behavior rather than explanation.

Trustman’s credits mattered because the scripts behind “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “Bullitt” helped set a template for modern crime storytelling: lean scenes, decisive characters, and a tone that trusted the audience to keep up. The films also represent a key period in American moviemaking, when major releases began embracing more contemporary style and pacing.

Even for viewers who may not recognize Trustman’s name, the movies he wrote have had a long afterlife through rereleases, home viewing, and continued references across popular culture. His work belongs to a group of screenplays that shaped how studios approached crime and action material at the end of the decade.

In the wake of his death, tributes and remembrances from film outlets and industry observers are expected to continue as more details emerge about his life and career. Further information about arrangements or additional biographical specifics was not included in the reports cited.

Trustman’s legacy remains embedded in two films that helped define an era, and his writing continues to be watched, studied, and imitated more than half a century later.