Renowned playwright Charles Fuller passed away in Toronto, Canada, on October 3. Fuller was 83.

His son, David Fuller, shared the devastating news via his Facebook account early Monday morning. He also included photos of his beloved father in various moments of his life.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of my Dad, Charles Fuller, this morning. Please keep my family in prayer. This one really stings. Please, to all family and friends, reach out and spend as much time as possible with your family; that is paramount. Peace and blessings to all!!”

Fuller, born in Philadelphia, was best known for his highly-successful and provocative 1981 piece “A Soldier’s Play.” Although he penned several works, including “The Brownsville Raid,” Fuller was lauded for “A Soldier’s Play.”

The production won an Edgar and a Pulitzer and starred a young Denzel Washington. The play was later made into a film, and Fuller earned an Academy Award nomination for the 1984 film adaptation, starring the late Howard Rollins and Washington.

Fuller won a Tony Award for the influential work in 2020, nearly 40 years after its premiere. The play is currently being adapted into a limited TV series.