Jonathan Demme has passed away.
The Oscar winning director, best-known for helming Silence of the Lambs, was 73.
Jonathan’s publicist told the Associated Press that he died in his New York apartment on Wednesday morning due to complications from oesophageal cancer.
Farewell to one of our greatest filmmakers, Jonathan Demme. We will miss you dearly. pic.twitter.com/yFtyCWm5aJ
— The Black List (@theblcklst) April 26, 2017
Met tons through the Moonlight run but my man Demme was the kindest, most generous. A MASSIVE soul. He lived in love. And rests in peace.
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) April 26, 2017
IndieWire reports that he originally battled the disease in 2010 but had a recurrence in 2015 and his condition became worse in recent weeks.
Jonathan is survived by second wife Joanne and three children, who were by his side when he died, according to AP.
He won the Best Director Oscar for Silence of the Lambs in 1991, and the film also took home Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The director’s last feature film was 2015’s Ricki and the Flash, and he also helmed Philadelphia, The Manchurian Candidate and Rachel Getting Married.
Deeply sad to hear my friend, neighbor, and colleague Jonathan Demme has passed on. He was one of the real good guys. I miss you, buddy.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 26, 2017
Rest In Peace, JD…
— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) April 26, 2017
Jonathan Demme was a great artist, humanitarian, activist & a warm encouraging colleague. I've known very few like him. He will be missed https://t.co/wQv5QRqHoN
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 26, 2017
Sad to hear that Jonathan Demme has passed.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 26, 2017
“Deeply sad to hear my friend, neighbor, and colleague Jonathan Demme has passed on,” Stephen King tweeted after the news emerged. “He was one of the real good guys. I miss you, buddy.”
“Rest In Peace JD,” Alec Baldwin shared, while Elijah Wood added: “Sad to hear that Jonathan Demme has passed.”
Ron Howard tweeted: “Jonathan Demme was a great artist, humanitarian, activist & a warm encouraging colleague. I’ve known very few like him. He will be missed.”
And Moonlight’s Barry Jenkins shared, “Met tons through the Moonlight run but my man Demme was the kindest, most generous. A MASSIVE soul. He lived in love. And rests in peace.”
