‘Walk the Line” screenwriter Gill Dennis, former classmate of Terrence Malick, dies at 74

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Gill Dennis, the screenwriter who co-wrote the Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line” and studied film alongside Terrence Malick and David Lynch, has died. He was 74.

Stephanie Sweeney, a spokeswoman for the American Film Institute, confirmed Friday that Dennis died at his home in Portland, Oregon. No further details were provided.

Sweeney said Dennis, Malick and Lynch were among the first graduates of the AFI Conservatory in 1969.

She said Dennis served as a master filmmaker-in-residence at the school and taught its incoming class last fall.

Dennis’ other writing credits include 1995’s “Without Evidence,” which featured Angelina Jolie, and 1991’s “On My Own,” starring Judy Davis.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Kristen Peckinpah Dennis, and two sons.