Screenwriter Benedict Fitzgerald has passed away at the age of 74. His death in Marsala, Sicily on Jan. 17, after battling a prolonged illness, was confirmed by his cousin, Nancy Ritter.
While Fitzgerald had numerous notable works to his credit, he is perhaps best remembered as the co-writer of “The Passion of the Christ,” a film that garnered immense success. Released in 2004, the biblical drama, co-written by Fitzgerald and director Mel Gibson, portrayed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Jim Caviezel) and stands as the highest-grossing R-rated movie in the United States.
Reflecting on the daunting task of working on “The Passion of the Christ” in a 2004 interview, Fitzgerald shared, “I was in a state of abject fear most of the time because I was tackling something that is not only sacred, but something, the spiritual, I had veered away from, and I was just finding my way back. Mel and I had much of the same experience. We underwent a shock of recognition… [We hoped the film would] give back the sense that people actually do have a spiritual side to them. It did for me.”