‘Shakespeare In Love’s’ Tom Stoppard dies at 88

LONDON, England:

British playwright Tom Stoppard, a playful, probing dramatist who won an Academy Award for the screenplay for 1998's Shakespeare In Love, has died. He was 88.

In a statement on Saturday, United Agents said the Czech-born Stoppard -- often hailed as the greatest British playwright of his generation -- died "peacefully" at his home in Dorset in southwest England, surrounded by his family.

"He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language," they said. "It was an honour to work with Tom and to know him."

Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger was among those paying tribute, calling Stoppard "a giant of the English theatre, both highly intellectual and very funny in all his plays and scripts.

"He had a dazzling wit and loved classical and popular music alike which often featured in his huge body of work," said Jagger, who produced the 2001 film Enigma, with a screenplay by Stoppard. "He was amusing and quietly sardonic. A friend and companion and I will always miss him."

King Charles III said Stoppard was "a dear friend who wore his genius lightly".

Theatres in London's West End will dim their lights for two minutes on Tuesday in tribute. - AP