1 August 2012 Last updated at 00:43 ET
Celebrated writer and political commentator Gore Vidal has died aged 86, according to US media.
Mr Vidal died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening of complications from pneumonia, his nephew, Burr Steers, told AP.
A prolific writer, Mr Vidal produced 25 novels, including the best-selling Burr and Myra Breckenridge, more than 200 essays, and several plays.
He also ran for political office twice and was a well-known commentator.
