- He was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay for the feature film Sounder (1972); he and writer William H. Armstrong shared the writing credits for this film.
- Originated the role of "Bobo" in Lorraine Hansberry's play, "A Raisin in the Sun".
- Inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1979.
- Survived by his three children: David, Christian, and Lonnie-Christine, two brothers, and two sisters.
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