Renowned playwright Edward Albee dies at 88

The famed American playwright died Friday at his Long Island home, according to his personal assistant Jackob Holder. A cause of death was not given.

Dark themes and sharp-tongued humor typified Albee's style as he took on mainstays of American culture such as marriage, child-rearing, upper-class comforts and religion.

Three of his numerous works, "A Delicate Balance" (1967), "Seascape" (1975) and "Three Tall Women" (1994) won the Pulitzer Prize.

Albee's well-known play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," released in the early 1960s, told the story of volatile middle-aged couple George and Martha. It challenged theatrical convention and won widespread critical acclaim, but was denied the Pulitzer for being too controversial.

The play was made into an award-winning film in 1966 starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

'One of the great playwrights'

Theater colleagues expressed their sadness at Albee's death, with many taking to Twitter to send their condolences.

On Twitter, actress Mia Farrow called Albee "one of the great" playwrights of our time, while fellow playwright Lynn Nottage said she would "miss his wit, irreverence and wisdom."

Several years ago, before undergoing extensive surgery, Albee penned a note to be issued at the time of his death: "To all of you who have made my being alive so wonderful, so exciting and so full, my thanks and all my love."

se/cmk (AP, AFP, Reuters)