PHOENIX, May 4 — Oscar-winning screenwriter and best-selling novelist passes away aged 69 in Arizona following a long illness.

News of his death was confirmed on Saturday by his manager, Daniel Ostroff.

A successful novelist, whose books included 'Marching to Valhalla' and 'Indian Yell', Blake was best known for 1988 novel, 'Dances with Wolves' which he adapted into an Oscar winning screenplay for the 1990 Kevin Costner film.

Dances with Wolves won a total of seven Oscars and Blake’s screenplay also scooped the Golden Globes and Writers Guild Awards for best-adapted screenplay.

Blake is survived by his wife, Marianne and their three children. — AFP/Relaxnews