Hollywood screenwriter and actor Buck Henry has died aged 89 in hospital in Los Angeles.

According to a relative, he passed away following a heart attack on Wednesday.

His real name was Henry Zuckerman, and was born in New York City to Ruth Taylor, a silent film actress and star of Gentleman Prefers Blonde, and stockbroker Paul Zuckerman.

Early on in his career, he became a cast member for TV shows such as The New Steve Allen Show and the American version of That Was The Week That Was, before co-creating comedy Get Smart with Mel Brooks.

He went on to host sketch show Saturday Night Live ten times between 1976 and 1980, making him the show’s most frequent host in its first five years.

Buck Henry shared an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay for The Graduate in 1968 with Calder Willingham, and as director for Heaven Can Wait in 1979.

He also made acting appearances in The Man Who Fell to Earth, Catch-22 (which he also wrote) and 30 Rock.