BYE-BYE, MR. BLUE:

Edward Bunker: Writer, actor (VARIETY, 7/19/05)
Edward Bunker, screenwriter, novelist and actor who served a long stint in San Quentin before writing such hits as "Straight Time," "Little Boy Blue" and "Animal Factory," died Tuesday July 19 at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., where he failed to survive an operation. The 71-year-old writer and ex-con had been suffering from cancer and diabetes.

West Hollywood resident and Hollywood native became the youngest inmate in San Quentin at 17 for bank robbery and car theft, and was released at age 38. He penned two books in prison, "Confessions of a Felon" followed by "No Beast So Fierce," which became the 1978 Dustin Hoffman starrer "Straight Time."

He later wrote the screenplay for 1985's "Runaway Train" and 2000's "Animal Factory," based on his novel.

In addition, he was a technical adviser on 1995's "Heat" as well as '92's "American Heart" and "Straight Time."

As an actor he had parts in this year's "The Longest Yard" as well as "Straight Time," "Reservoir Dogs" (as Mr. Blue), "Runaway Train," "The Running Man," "Tango and Cash," "Somebody to Love," 2000's "Animal Factory," "Family Secrets" and "13 Moons," plus others.

Other novels include "Dog Eat Dog."