From the L.A. Times news obit:
John Gregory Dunne, the journalist, screenwriter and novelist who chronicled the Hollywood movie industry in his book "The Studio," then went on to write for film, died unexpectedly Tuesday evening as he sat down to dinner with his wife, author Joan Didion. He was 71.Dunne died of a heart attack in the couple's New York City home, where the longtime residents of California had been living, his wife said.
Dunne's first books were works of hard-hitting journalism: The first, "Delano: The Story of the California Grape Strike," appeared in 1967 and followed Chicano labor leader Cesar Chavez. His second, "The Studio," was published in 1969 and detailed the inner workings of Twentieth Century Fox. In 1974, "Vegas: A Memoir of a Dark Season" explored the author's depression after a nervous breakdown.
True Confessions is a fine American novel of endemic political corruption and personal redemption. Witty, hard-hitting and extremely well-written, with an unsurpassed ear for dialogue and mannerism. Dunne will be missed.
Posted by: John Shannon at December 31, 2003 05:59 PMAm I the only person that thought that it was odd that there was no mention of J. G.'s brother-Domenick?
Posted by: Kate at December 31, 2003 09:35 PMI knew John... and Joan... way back when. John was a fine writer and a very witty guy. My condolences to Joan.
Posted by: Roger L. Simon at January 1, 2004 07:35 PM

Rest in peace, Mr. Dunne. My condolences to Joan and family.
Posted by: Mr. Ricey at December 31, 2003 04:11 PM