HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Gore Vidal, one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, died Tuesday night at his home in the Hollywood Hills, a family member told reporters. Vidal was 86.

Burr Steers, Vidal's nephew, said Vidal died of complications from pneumonia and had been sick for some time. Entertainment Weekly reported that Vidal's health went downhill in 2006 after the death of his longtime partner, Howard Auster.