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Director John Schlesinger Dies at 77
The AP is reporting that director John Schlesinger has passed away at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. Mr. Schlesinger was 77. Schlesinger was born in 1926 and spent the early part of his career as a bit actor. He then made a successful move behind the lens, becoming one of the "angry young men" associated with the Kitchen Sink school of British filmmaking, along with Karel Reisz and Tony Richardson. Schlesinger crafted the well-received Billy Liar, Darling, and Far from the Madding Crowd before making the film that brought him to prominence in America, Midnight Cowboy. Cowboy, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards®, remains the only X-rated film to win the Oscar for Best Picture; it also garnered Schlesinger the Best Director nod, as well as Best Adapted Screenplay for Waldo Salt. Schlesinger never equaled the critical and popular success of Cowboy though he continued to make quality films over the years such as the violent thriller Marathon Man, the creepy suspense/horror film The Believers and the sublime satire Cold Comfort Farm. Schlesinger had suffered a debilitating heart attack in 2000 which led to declining health. He was removed from life support yesterday (Thursday, 7/24). Schlesinger lived the last 30 years in Palm Springs with his companion, photographer Michael Childers. --Prepared by IMDb staff
