The screenwriter, who was married to Harrison Ford from 1983 to 2004, lost her battle with a long, undisclosed illness on Wednesday (04Nov15), according to her brother.

Mathison also penned the screenplays for the movies Kundun, The Black Stallion, The Indian in the Cupboard and Spielberg's upcoming film adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's novel The BFG.

Her E.T. The Extra Terrestrial screenplay earned her an Oscar nomination.

She and Ford had two children together, Malcolm and Georgia.