LOS ANGELES, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Famed U.S. author Gore Vidal died Tuesday at his home in the Hollywood Hills in southern California, according to local reports. He was 86.

The iconic writer, playwright, essayist, screenwriter and political activist died of complications from pneumonia, his nephew Burr Steers told the Los Angeles Times. He penned 24 novels, five plays and more than 200 essays during his career which spanned more than six decades.

Born on Oct. 3, 1925, as the only child to his father who was the first aeronautics instructor, Vidal launched his writer career with the publication of military novel "Williwaw" when he was 19. The book turned out to be a huge success.

In 1948, he caused a big stir with his third novel, "The City and the Pillar," which was one of the first major American novels featuring unambiguous homosexuality presentation.

The U.S. literary and cultural icon won the National Book Award in 1993 for "United States: Essays, 1952-72." He also published such popular novels including "Burr"; "1876"; "Lincoln" and "Washington, D.C." Vidal also penned screenplays for Hollywood hits, including "Suddenly, Last Summer" and "Is Paris Burning?"

Vidal unsuccessfully ran for a seat at the House of Representatives from New York in 1960. In 1982, he lost another bid for politics when he was defeated by the incumbent Governor Jerry Brown for the Democratic primary election to the U.S. Senate from California.

The writer also starred in films, including "Gattaca" (1997), "Bob Roberts" (1992) and "With Honors" (1994). Enditem

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