Legendary filmmaker Richard Attenborough dies, aged 90

Posted on 25 August 2014
By Mark Langshaw
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Acclaimed actor and Academy Award-winning director Lord Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90.

The legendary filmmaker’s son Michael confirmed that his father passed away at around 1pm on Sunday, 24th August.

Born in Cambridgeshire in 1923, Attenborough began his film career as an actor, first appearing in an uncredited part in In Which We Serve in 1942, before landing his breakthrough role in Brighton Rock five years later.

He earned plaudits for his appearances in The Great Escape, Doctor Dolittle and Ten Little Indians during the 1950s, and went on to feature in the Miracle on 34th Street remake in 1994 and Jurassic Park the previous year.

Attenborough made his directorial debut with Oh! What a Lovely War in 1969, before helming such projects as Young Winston, A Bridge Too Far, Cry Freedom, A Chorus Line and Chaplin.

His most celebrated work is 1983’s Gandhi, which earned him Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

Tributes for Attenborough have flooded in following the news of his passing, with the BAFTA organisation – of which he served as president between 2002 to 2009 – among the first to offer their sentiments.

“Lord Attenborough occupies a special place in the hearts of so many and will be missed enormously. Our thoughts are with his family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy at this sad and difficult time,” said the group in a statement.

Prime Minister David Cameron took to Twitter to sing the cinema veteran’s praises following the news of his death.

“His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning – Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema,” he said.

The movie pioneer also served as Life President of Chelsea football club, who said that they were “deeply saddened” by the news.

“Chelsea Football Club is tonight deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Life President Lord Attenborough,” read a statement on the team’s website. “His personality was woven into the tapestry of the club over seven decades. He will be greatly missed.”

Attenborough is survived by his wife Sheila Sim, their children and his younger brother Sir David Attenborough.