David Newman, a screenwriter and playwright best known for co-writing the screenplay to "Bonnie and Clyde," died June 27, 2003, in Manhattan, according to The New York Times. Mr. Newman was 66. The cause of death was a stroke. His credits include co-writing the screenplays of the popular "Superman" trilogy, but his connection to the Man of Steel dated more than a decade earlier, when he co-wrote with Robert Benton the book of the Broadway musical comedy, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, directed by Harold Prince.

The now lesser-known musical with songs by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams was a spoof that has a cult fans for its tongue-in-cheek look at the DC Comics superhero. "You've Got Possibilities" is a standout from the score, which is on CD. Mr. Newman co-wrote the show's book with Robert Benton, his "Bonnie and Clyde" collaborator.

Mr. Newman also contributed material to the nudie revue, Oh! Calcutta!, and co-wrote the Tony Award nominated book to the Cy Coleman-Ira Gasman musical, The Life.

His other film writing credits include "There Was a Crooked Man," "What's Up, Doc?," "Moonwalker" and "Santa Claus, the Movie."

At the University of Michigan, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees, the New York-born writer won two Avery Hopwood Awards, one for short stories and one for three plays.