Gore Vidal: 1925-2012

Author Gore Vidal attends the PEN USA Annual LitFest Awards Gala at the Biltmore Hotel on Nov. 9, 2005, in Los Angeles.

Actor/Writer Gore Vidal arrives at the premiere of "Alexander" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on Nov. 16, 2004, in Hollywood, Calif.

Author Gore Vidal reads from his new book "The Golden Age" during a press conference, Sept. 7, 2000, at the National Press Club in Washington.

Gore Vidal at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Centennial tribute to Oscar-winning actress Greta Garbo on April 7, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Actress Joan Leslie, right, poses with author Gore Vidal and actress Cora Sue Collins at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Centennial tribute to Oscar-winning actress Greta Garbo on April 7, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Actress Joan Leslie, right, poses with author Gore Vidal and actress Kristina Wayborn at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Centennial tribute to Oscar-winning actress Greta Garbo on April 7, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Director Brent Hinkley, left, and writer Gore Vidal attend the cocktail reception after the performance of "Impossible Boulevard: From Homelessness to Hope" at the Kirk Douglas Theatre on Oct. 29, 2005, in Los Angeles.

Author Gore Vidal in 1977.

Author Gore Vidal appears in conversation with writer Jon Wiener at the 12th Annual L.A. Times Festival of Books in Royce Hall on the UCLA campus on April 28, 2007, in Los Angeles.

Gore Vidal speaks at the National Book Awards in New York on Nov. 19, 2009. Woodward presented Vidal with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Gore Vadal, arrives at the MOCA New 30th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 14, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Author Gore Vidal attends the MOCA NEW 30th anniversary gala held at MOCA on Nov. 14, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Writer Gore Vidal attends the Campaign for a New GI Bill hosted by the Student Veterans of America at the Beverly Hilton hotel on June 22, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Author Gore Vidal attends the 14th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on April 25, 2009, in Los Angeles.

From left to right, writer, Larry Gelbart, author Gore Vidal, actress Eva Marie Saint and director Geffrey Hayden attend the PEN USA'S Forbidden Fruit: Readings From Banned Works of Literature at the The Skirball Cultural Centre on June 4, 2006, in Los Angeles.

Author Gore Vidal and actress Raquel Welch attend the closing night Gala of the "Russian Nights" Film Festival at the Pacific Design Center on April 8, 2006, in West Hollywood, Calif.