Writer of When Harry Met Sally

Nora Ephron, who wrote such witty Hollywood romcoms as When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, has died at the age of 71.

She died in Manhattan of complications relating to acute myeloid leukaemia, her son has announced.

Ephron moved into writing and directing after a career as a journalist, and earned three Oscar nominations for her screenwriting.

‘She brought an awful lot of people a tremendous amount of joy,’ her publisher Alfred P Knopf said. ‘She will be sorely missed.’

Her death prompted several tributes on Twitter, many of them quoting her pithy words.

Kirstie Alley wrote: ‘”You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.” Nora Ephron. Oh Jeez... you will be missed..RIP XO’

Shonda Rhimes, writer of Grey's Anatomy, posted: ‘”I try to write parts for women that are as complicated and interesting as women actually are.'' - Nora Ephron.'

Bette Middler added: ‘Nora Ephron. The Hostess with the Mostest on the Ball. A brilliant soul, and we will all miss her so....’

And Sarah Silverman tweeted: ‘just heard about Nora Ephron. I’m so sad. A great & prolific writer, a warm & kind soul. Gone just like that.’

Ephron is survived by her husband, author Nicholas Pileggi, and two sons.

Published: 27 Jun 2012