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Renowned British playwright Sir Tom Stoppard has passed away aged 88, his agent has announced. The Czech-born writer, who received his knighthood in 1997, died peacefully at his home, "surrounded by family."

Sir Tom achieved worldwide recognition for penning the Oscar-winning 1998 film Shakespeare In Love, which earned him the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

The romantic drama, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes, generated more than £218 million in global box office receipts.

The playwright also gained acclaim for creating the celebrated stage production Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and for writing the 2013 HBO limited series Parade's End.

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