Advertisement

Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme dies age 73

Jonathan Demme died in New York on Wednesday morning at age 73, due to esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease, his publicist Annalee Paulo said in a statement.

The New York-born director is known for this classic films such as the 1991 American horror-thriller Silence of The Lambs, and his 1993 drama Philadelphia.

He was awarded the Academy Award for Best Director at the 1991 ceremony for Silence of the Lambs.

Jodie Foster shared a touching tribute,
Jodie Foster shared a touching tribute,

Jodie Foster, who also scored an Oscar for playing Clarice Starling in Silence Of The Lambs, spoke out about the famous directer to Variety magazine on Wednesday.

The Silence of the Lambs was his biggest success. The film about a serial killer and the agent (Foster) who tracks him with the help of Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) was both a box-office success and a critical hit. Source: Shutterstock
The Silence of the Lambs was his biggest success. The film about a serial killer and the agent (Foster) who tracks him with the help of Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) was both a box-office success and a critical hit. Source: Shutterstock

“I am heartbroken to lose a friend, a mentor, a guy so singular and dynamic you’d have to design a hurricane to contain him."

She continued, "Jonathan was as quirky as his comedies and as deep as his dramas. He was pure energy, the unstoppable cheerleader for anyone creative. Just as passionate about music as he was about art, he was and will always be a champion of the soul. JD, most beloved, something wild, brother of love, director of the lambs. Love that guy. Love him so much.”

Jonathan Demme with his daughter in 2008. Source: Getty
Jonathan Demme with his daughter in 2008. Source: Getty

According to his publicist, Jonathan died in his Manhattan apartment surrounded by his wife and three children.

His other notable films include the 1988 comedy Married to the Mob, the 2008 independent drama Rachel Getting Married and The Manchurian Candidate released in 2004.

Actor Tom Hanks also spoke about the late director in an Entertainment Weekly interview this week saying he was, "the grandest of men".

"Jonathan taught us how big a heart a person can have, and how it will guide how we live and what we do for a living."

Many more fans and famous friends took to Twitter to send their respects and condolences to the Demme family.

Fans and friends send their condolences via Twitter. Source: Twitter
Fans and friends send their condolences via Twitter. Source: Twitter