Celebrity News April 26, 2017
‘Silence of the Lambs’ Director Jonathan Demme Dead at 73
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Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme has passed away at the age of 73.
Demme, known for directing "The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), one of the only films to win Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay, and "Philadelphia" (1993), the first major-studio movie about AIDS, died Wednesday of cancer complications, his rep revealed to Variety.
According to TMZ, Demme battled esophageal cancer and heart disease.
In addition to his two most famous films, Demme directed "Melvin and Howard" (1980), the widely admired Talking Heads concert film "Stop Making Sense" (1984), the Michelle Pfeiffer mobster comedy "Married to the Mob" (1988), and "Rachel Getting Married" (2008) with Anne Hathaway.
His last two feature-length projects were the 2015 Meryl Streep vehicle "Ricki and the Flash” and Justin Timberlake's Netflix special “Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids” from last year.
Demme is survived by second wife Joanne Howard and their three children, Ramona, Brooklyn, and Jos.
