William Peter Blatty, American author and screenwriter (died 2017)

William Peter Blatty was an American writer, director and producer. He is best known for his 1971 novel The Exorcist and for his screenplay for the 1973 film adaptation. Blatty won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Exorcist, and was nominated for Best Picture as its producer. The film also earned Blatty a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama as producer.

January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 358 days remain until the end of the year.