Jonathan Demme, the filmmaker whose career ranged from the David Byrne documentary “Stop Making Sense” to the Oscar-winning “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia,” died this morning in New York. He was 73.
The cause was esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease, according to a source close to the family. He was originally treated for the disease in 2010, but suffered from a recurrence in 2015, and his condition deteriorated in recent weeks.
Demme maintained a private personal life, but his career was marked by a remarkably versatile creative output that included acclaimed narratives and documentaries films stretching back to the early ’70s. He made his debut with the 1971 biker film “Angels Hard as They Come,” a Roger Corman production during the B-movie producer’s heyday, but his career reached another plane of critical and commercial success with a string of ’80s dramas, including “Melvin and Howard, “Swing Shift,” and “Something Wild.”
Rest in peace.
Dean Stockwell in Married to the Mob
Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs
Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington in Philadelphia
Just to name a few that were recognized for their incredible work.
Not a small thing, too - "Something Wild" welcomed aboard Ray Liotta!
From time to time he came to a local "artsy" cinema and took part in Q&A panels about films he was involved in, or other.
My goodness, RIP
Just recently watched Something Wild a few weeks ago as well as Silence of the Lambs. Two movies I could stumble upon in the middle, and still watch them to their end.
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