Blake, who won an Oscar for penning the script of "Dances With Wolves" died at the age of 69, his manager and production partner Daniel Ostroff confirmed.

According to Ostroff, Blake died peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, after battling a long illness, reports variety.com.

Blake wrote the novel "Dances With Wolves" in 1988, before it was turned into an Oscar-winning feature. The book went on to sell more than 3.5 million copies and was translated into 15 languages.

Blake most recently wrote a screenplay based on German novel "Winnetou" for Constantin Films in 2011.

He is survived by his wife, Marianne, and three children. His family has requested that any donations made should be to the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Broncos.

(Source: IANS)