Jonathan Demme, the Oscar-winning director, has died at the age of 73. His passing comes as a result of complications from esophagus cancer. Demme was a multifaceted filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. A resident of New York, Demme rose to prominence in the 1980s with comedies like Swing Shift, Something Wild and Married to the Mob. But most will remember his film The Silence of the Lambs, based on the Thomas Harris novel and starring Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling. In 1993, he directed Tom Hanks to Oscar gold in Philadelphia.
Outside of features, he made several documentaries featuring the likes of Spalding Gray (Swimming to Cambodia), the musical group the Talking Heads (Stop Making Sense), Neil Young (Heart of Gold and most recently 2016’s Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids. His last theatrical feature was 2015’s Ricki and the Flash starring Meryl Streep.
Demme is survived by his wife, the artist Joanne Howard, and their three children.
Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Jonathan Demme. Admired his movies, his documentaries, his concert films. He could do anything.
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) April 26, 2017
Heartbroken to hear that Jonathan Demme has passed away. Rest in peace to one of cinema's most original artists. pic.twitter.com/aWbtIGZdwG
— Criterion Collection (@Criterion) April 26, 2017
Ted Demme and I were worried about making The Ref when his uncle Jonathan Demme said something profound: "Stop talking and start shooting."
— Denis Leary (@denisleary) April 26, 2017
