March 29, 2024
Hollywood mours passing of acclaimed director Jonathan Demme
HOLLYWOOD - The entertainment world was quick to mourn the loss of the acclaimed director Jonathan Demme, who died of cancer complications.

Demme made about as big a splash in Hollywood as anyone ever has with 1991’s “The Silence of the Lambs” which earned five Oscars including best director for Demme. His follow-up, 1993’s “Philadelphia,” earned Tom Hanks his first Academy Award.

His most recent work behind the camera was an episode of the Fox police drama “Shots Fired,” which is scheduled to air on April 26 — the same day the director’s death was announced. He also recently filmed Justin Timberlake’s 2016 concert tour documentary “Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids.” His most recent feature was the Meryl Streep starrer, “Ricki and the Flash.”

The producers of “Shots Fired” Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood wrote, “We mourn the passing of Jonathan Demme. He was a tremendous artist who shared our belief that art can change the world. He was a gift, and he made every one around him better. He taught us to care a little bit more, believe a little bit more and listen a little bit more. We will miss him.”

Robyn Hitchcock, who worked with Demme in the 1998 film “Storefront Hitchcock,” wrote the following statement: “I last saw Jonathan Demme four years ago today. Had no idea till this morning that it would be for the last time. Jonathan was a born movie-maker: he loved people and he loved filming them.

Demme is best known for directing “The Silence of the Lambs,” the 1991 horror-thriller that was a box office smash, a critical triumph, and introduced moviegoers to Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter, a charismatic serial with a yen for Chianti, fava beans, and cannibalism.

Demme died Wednesday in New York of cancer complications, his publicist told Variety. He was 73 years old.
Story Date: May 6, 2017
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