One of the last of the old line of great writers passed away last week.  Budd Schulberg was 95 when he died in Westhampton, New York, where he had lived for many years after making his mark on the New York City literary scene as well as the Hollywood film industry.

Years ago, when I was beginning in the newspaper business in Los Angeles and was working as a sports editor while providing feature articles as well, I had the opportunity to interview Budd Schulberg at his Beverly Hills home.  He was then married to actress Geraldine Brooks, who would pass away a few years later from cancer.

As a young writer interviewing someone who had by then achieved the status of legend, I was nervous at the beginning, but that ended fast.  Schulberg had a way of putting you at ease.  He exuded the effortless air of a friendly neighbor.

The interview was conducted in his yard and he brought to the table a bottle of good bourbon and some glasses.  I immediately thought, "Here is a man comfortable with journalists."