Audrey Wells, who wrote and directed movies including 'Under the Tuscan Sun' and the critically acclaimed feature film 'The Hate U Give', died the day before the film was released after a five-year battle with cancer.
The news of her death was announced on Friday by United Talent Agency (UTA).
She wrote versatile screenplays across genres, including Disney's 'The Kid', 'George of the Jungle', 'The Truth About Cats and Dogs' and 'Shall We Dance'.
In a statement, UTA co-president David Kramer said, "Audrey was a beloved client and, far more importantly, a wonderful friend. It was impossible not to fall in love with her and the passion that brought her stories to life. The strong, independent female characters she shaped resonate today more than ever and will be a part of her legacy always. We will miss her amazing, spirit, creativity and the love she gave us. She was truly special."
Wells is survived by her husband, Brian Larky and daughter, Tatiana. Larky said, "She was, simply, the most incredible wife and partner imaginable, and she knew always that she was loved by Tatiana, me, and the friends who were her chosen family. She said just recently, ‘We’re so lucky, honey. We got to live a love story. Who gets to do that?’ We will carry her forward with us forever — as a mother, as a wife, as an artist and creator, and as a friend. She was irreplaceable.”
Watch 'The Hate U Give' trailer here:
