The Tony Award nominee lost his battle with prostate cancer at his home in Manhattan, New York on Thursday (22Oct15).

Kass wrote the book of the 1978 musical Ballroom, adapted from his play Queen of the Stardust Ballroom.

The project picked up three Emmy Awards when it was broadcast on TV in America in 1975.

Born in 1937, Kass also wrote television miniseries Evergreen and the screenplay for 1983 film The Black Stallion Returns. His other film credits include The Fighter, Last Wish and A Brand New Life.

He is survived by his wife, writer Delia Ephron, who is the sister of Nora Ephron, and his two kids.