Washburn graduated from Harvard College in 1959. He began his career as a playwright, penning the off-Broadway plays Ginger Anne and The Love Nest.
He is best known for having written the original screenplay of The Deer Hunter after having co-written the story with Michael Cimino. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1978.
Washburn and Cimino spent three days writing the story, and then Washburn spent a month writing the script. Cimino then tried to deny him screenwriting credit. Washburn went to arbitration and was given full credit.

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